A wig is a head or hair accessory made from human hair, animal hair, or synthetic fiber. The word wig is short for periwig, which makes its earliest known appearance in the English language in William Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Some people wear wigs to disguise baldness; a wig may be used as a less intrusive and less expensive alternative to medical therapies for restoring hair or for a religious reason. Art of wigs has become a billion dollar industry within the 21st century. India is the main source of hair. Manufacturing and processing, mainly takes place in China. A merkin is a pubic wig often worn as a decorative item or for theatrical and fashion purposes. They are also worn by individuals who are experiencing hair loss due to medical reasons, such as cancer treatment.