Kirza
Encyclopedia
Kirza is a type of artificial leather
based on the multi-layer textile fabric, modified by membrana-like substances, produced mainly in the Soviet Union
and Russia
. The surface of kirza imitates the pig leather.
The material is mainly used in production of military boots, where it is a cheap and effective replacement for natural leather. It is also used in production of the belts for machinery and automobiles.
The name kirza is an acronym from Kirovskiy Zavod (Kirov plant), a fabric producing artificial leather, located in the city of Kirov
in Russia
, which was the first place of the mass production of kirza. Sometimes English dictionaries translate кирза as kersey into English language
, which is a mistake, since kersey
is quite a different material known from the middle ages.
The technology was invented in 1935 by Ivan Plotnikov
and his fellow engineer Khomutov. The mass production began during the Winter War
of the Soviet Union
against Finland
. Initially the material proved to be unfit to the winter conditions, and the production was halted. However, very soon the technology was improved and the mass production was resumed in the autumn and winter of 1941 during the German invasion of Soviet Union, since the large numbers of footwear were badly needed for the Red Army
.
For the invention of kirza, Ivan Plotnikov was awarded the Stalin Prize the size of 100,000 ruble
s on 10th of April, 1942, as ordered by the Council of People's Commissars of the Soviet Union
.
Since that time kirza has been continuously produced in the Soviet Union
and then Russia
, as well as in some other countries. Basically the technology didn't change much from 1941. About 85% of kirza produced in Russia goes for military boots (including the modern combat boot
s). Most of the modern kirza boots are produced from a combination of 85% kirza and 15% of specially prepared natural leather (the so called yuft or Russian leather). About 150 million pairs of kirza footwear has been produced up to this time.
Artificial leather
Artificial leather is a fabric or finish intended to substitute for leather in fields such as upholstery, clothing and fabrics, and other uses where a leather-like finish is required but the actual material is cost-prohibitive or unsuitable....
based on the multi-layer textile fabric, modified by membrana-like substances, produced mainly in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. The surface of kirza imitates the pig leather.
The material is mainly used in production of military boots, where it is a cheap and effective replacement for natural leather. It is also used in production of the belts for machinery and automobiles.
The name kirza is an acronym from Kirovskiy Zavod (Kirov plant), a fabric producing artificial leather, located in the city of Kirov
Kirov, Kirov Oblast
Kirov , formerly known as Vyatka and Khlynov, is a city in northeastern European Russia, on the Vyatka River, and the administrative center of Kirov Oblast. Population: -History:...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, which was the first place of the mass production of kirza. Sometimes English dictionaries translate кирза as kersey into English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, which is a mistake, since kersey
Kersey (cloth)
Kersey is a kind of coarse woollen cloth.It derives its name from the village of Kersey, Suffolk, having presumably originated in that region. However the cloth was made in many places. By 1475, the West Riding of Yorkshire including Calderdale was also a major producer. Kersey was a lighter...
is quite a different material known from the middle ages.
The technology was invented in 1935 by Ivan Plotnikov
Ivan Plotnikov
Ivan Vasilyevich Plotnikov was a Russian engineer and inventor of kirza, a type of artificial leather based on the multi-layer textile fabric, modified by membrana-like substances, a cheap and effective replacement for the natural leather...
and his fellow engineer Khomutov. The mass production began during the Winter War
Winter War
The Winter War was a military conflict between the Soviet Union and Finland. It began with a Soviet offensive on 30 November 1939 – three months after the start of World War II and the Soviet invasion of Poland – and ended on 13 March 1940 with the Moscow Peace Treaty...
of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
against Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. Initially the material proved to be unfit to the winter conditions, and the production was halted. However, very soon the technology was improved and the mass production was resumed in the autumn and winter of 1941 during the German invasion of Soviet Union, since the large numbers of footwear were badly needed for the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
.
For the invention of kirza, Ivan Plotnikov was awarded the Stalin Prize the size of 100,000 ruble
Ruble
The ruble or rouble is a unit of currency. Currently, the currency units of Belarus, Russia, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Transnistria, and, in the past, the currency units of several other countries, notably countries influenced by Russia and the Soviet Union, are named rubles, though they all are...
s on 10th of April, 1942, as ordered by the Council of People's Commissars of the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
.
Since that time kirza has been continuously produced in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and then Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, as well as in some other countries. Basically the technology didn't change much from 1941. About 85% of kirza produced in Russia goes for military boots (including the modern combat boot
Combat boot
Combat boots are military boots designed to be worn by soldiers during actual combat or combat training as opposed to during parades and other ceremonial duties. Modern combat boots are designed to provide a combination of grip, ankle stability, and foot protection suitable to a rugged environment....
s). Most of the modern kirza boots are produced from a combination of 85% kirza and 15% of specially prepared natural leather (the so called yuft or Russian leather). About 150 million pairs of kirza footwear has been produced up to this time.