Pokrývky hlavy ze stromové houby troudnatce kopytovitého

The specific properties of the hoof, or tinder, fungus Fomes fomentarius have led to its products impacting upon major spheres of human activity since the very distant past (once processing techniques had been discovered). These include making and transporting fire, healing, the manufacture of clothing items and the drying of furs. Hoof fungus was an invaluable resource in the European region until as late as the mid–19th century, when its importance began to decrease with the advent of new scientific advances. By the 20th century, the use of polypores came to be viewed as rather bizarre. One peculiar phenomenon was the manufacture of headgear made of hoof fungus. The shapes of the hoof fungus hats and caps were usually very simple, and their primary purpose was utility. The development of home production and the sale of these goods to people interested in regional products as souvenirs gave rise to decorated hats and caps, genuine artefacts reflecting regional clothing. On the territory of the Czech Republic, the manufacture of polypore objects lasted longest in the Chodsko region (until the 1970's). The last manufacturers in Wallachia died out in the 1960's.