Astroturf

AstroTurf is a brand name commonly used to refer to synthetic turf, a man-made surface designed to imitate natural grass for sports and landscaping. The original AstroTurf was developed in the 1960s for the Houston Astrodome and introduced to the market in 1966 by Monsanto. Since then, the term has become generic for artificial turf products.

Construction and design: Most synthetic turf consists of synthetic fibers that form grass-like blades attached to a backing, reinforced with a sub-base and infill such as silica sand or crumb rubber. Pile height, fiber shape, and infill type are chosen based on intended use; shorter piles are common for football and hockey fields, longer piles for soccer or golf mats. Benefits include durability, lower water use, and predictable play; drawbacks include higher surface temperatures, potential injury concerns, and environmental issues related to production, infill materials, and end-of-life disposal.

In politics and media, "astroturf" denotes fake grassroots activism, where an organization orchestrates what appears to be spontaneous public support. The term derives from the AstroTurf brand, implying artificial grassroots.