Final answer:
People wear fur coats for its thermal insulation properties and as a fashion statement. Fur clothing has been indispensable for survival in harsh climates, as seen in Alaska's Inuit people and early humans. Furthermore, fur has been and continues to be an esteemed material in the fashion world.
Step-by-step explanation:
People wear fur coats primarily for insulation and fashion. Fur coats are excellent insulators because fur is filled with air, breaking it up into many small pockets that slow convection, making it a highly efficient lightweight insulator. This principle can be observed in animals like polar bears and seals which use thick fur and a layer of body fat to retain heat in subfreezing environments.
In harsh climates, fur clothing is critical for survival. For instance, the Inuit people of Alaska ingenious crafted fur clothing to guard them against the biting cold. Early humans likewise recognized the insulating properties of fur, making clothes from animal hides scraped clean with rock tools.
Aside from utility, fur has long held an esteemed place in the fashion world. Hats made from beaver pelts were a fashionable item in 18th and 19th century Europe and the US due to their natural waterproof quality and glossy sheen. Fur continues to be a symbol of opulence and glamour in modern times despite outcry from animal rights activists.
Overall, the wearing of fur coats combines elements of thermal insulation efficiency and fashion status, using an age-old natural material.
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