Plastic Grass, Suburban Dreams: AstroTurf and the Idea of Augmented Nature

This article explores the development of AstroTurf in postwar North America as a case study in "augmented nature," where technologies simulate and redefine elements of the natural world. The plastic substitute for natural grass embodied a broader cultural commitment to suburban lawn aesthetics and exemplified a "break-it-and-fix-it" approach to ecological challenges. By analyzing AstroTurf's marketing-particularly its showcase at Montreal's Expo '67-the article introduces the concept of augmented nature and examines its role in reshaping mid-century understandings of nature, technology, and environmental problem-solving. In so doing, it offers new insights into the cultural significance of domestic green spaces, aesthetic ideals, and the role of synthetic materials in manipulating perceptions of the natural world.