History of Leather
Leather is a strong, flexible material obtained from the tanning of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. Leather can be used to make clothing, footwear, handbags, furniture, tools, and sports equipment.
Primitive humans first used animal hides for meat, clothing, footwear, tents and tools. Our ancestors used leather to protect themselves. Evidence in England shows stone tools used to scrape hides over 400,000 years ago, directly related to preparing leather.
Leather’s practicality combined with style in the 8th century when Greeks and Romans fashioned popular sandals, handbags, and shields from it. The Romans introduced belts, harnesses, saddles and tents. Leather was used throughout Egypt’s history, although its importance varied.
In the late 1700s, the benefits of dried hides were recognised. The mass-production process invented by Seth Boyden in 1818 using oil-based lacquer made leather goods widely popular. Dating back to the Victorian era, leather was fashioned into boots, jackets and furniture, symbols of wealth.
The 20th century demand for softer, lighter leather led to adopting chromium salt and chrome tanning. While some processes remain similar over millennia, we likely appreciate aspects that changed. Leather’s history spans ancient civilizations to modern practical uses.
Origins of Leather Making
Our early ancestors used animal hides. They used them for meat, clothes, shoes, tents and tools. In England, there is evidence from over 400,000 years ago of stone tools being used to prepare leather by scraping hides.
Leather is a flexible, strong material. It is made from animal skins and hides. These are tanned to stop them from decaying. Leather can be used for many things – clothes, bags, furniture, sports equipment.
In the 8th century Greeks and Romans started making leather goods like sandals, bags, and shields. The Romans also used leather for belts, saddles, and tents. Egypt used leather throughout its history.
In the 20th century, people wanted softer, lighter leather. So chromium salt and chrome tanning started being used. While some leather production methods have stayed similar for thousands of years, we probably appreciate the changes too. Leather has been important from ancient civilizations up to today.