Roll:
2219030
History of Making Leather
Leather making is an ancient craft that people have practiced for a very long time. The origin of
leather manufacture dates far back in the pre-historic ages and it was probably one of the earliest
arts practised by mankind. It all started when early humans discovered that the skin from animals
could be turned into something useful.
In the olden days, people needed a way to keep warm and protect themselves from harsh weather
and dangerous things. They realized that animal hides, or the skin, could do the job. But raw hides
are tough and not so comfortable, so people had to find a way to make them soft and long-lasting.
The first leather makers discovered that if they don't treat animal hides, they get all hard and
smelly. So, they came up with ways to make the hides soft and durable. This process is called
"tanning." This process of making hides soft and durable. Back then, tanning was done using
natural materials like tree bark, leaves, and sometimes even animal brains. These things helped
turn rough animal hides into soft, flexible, and useful leather.
According to historians, the art of tanning originated before the dawn of recorded history. Pre-
historic people used to live by hunting. Clothes of some sort were perhaps necessary, for protecting
the body from cold and rain. It is very likely that for clothing the pre-historic hunter utilized the
skins of the animals he killed. He might have noticed that raw hides and skins putrefied if kept wet
and turned hard and rough when dried out. The dry, hard skin was certainly inconvenient to wrap
up his body. It would thus be only natural for him to try to soften the fur while drying it and, in
this attempt to render the skin soft and convenient to wear that the foundation of ‘the art of tanning’
was perhaps laid by the pre-historic people. Primitive men might also have noticed that the skins
thus smeared with fats dried out differently from the untreated ones. So greasing and drying
comprised one among the many ways in which the primitive people tried to preserve animal skins.
Dressing of skins by the application of fatty and albuminous matters like tallow, oil, egg yolk,
milk, curd, etc. is practised even today by many. Furs are dressed more or less according to the
above process even today. The modern chamois leather is nothing but flesh splits of sheep or goat
skins tanned by cod or fish oil.
As time passed, people found more and more uses for leather. In ancient civilizations like Egypt
and Rome, they used leather to make things like shoes, gloves, and armor for soldiers. In the
American Wild West, cowboys relied on leather for their boots, saddles, and hats. Leather armor
was used by many ancient civilizations, including the Romans. It offered protection to soldiers and
warriors in battle.
When the Industrial Revolution came along, machines started to help with leather making. This
made the process faster and more efficient, so more people could enjoy leather goods. The
1
Roll:
2219030
Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on the leather industry. Prior to this era, leather
making was a labor-intensive, time-consuming process that relied on traditional methods. With the
advent of industrialization, significant changes occurred. The development of machinery and the
application of steam power revolutionized tanning and leather production. Tanneries became more
efficient, increasing their output and reducing the time needed to produce leather. As a result, the
availability of leather goods expanded, and they became more affordable to a broader range of
consumers. The mechanization of the industry led to the standardization of leather quality and
consistency, making it a more reliable material for various applications, from shoes and belts to
upholstery. The Industrial Revolution not only transformed the leather industry but also
contributed to the growth of the global leather market, ultimately shaping the way we use and
appreciate leather products in the modern world.
In today's world, we find leather in a lot of things, like our shoes, bags, car seats, and even our
furniture. Some people like to use high-quality leather for fashionable items like designer handbags
and wallets.
However, there's an important concern when it comes to making leather. The process can use a lot
of water and chemicals, which can harm the environment. That's why some folks are working hard
to find better, eco-friendly ways to make leather.
In a nutshell, the history of leather making is like a fascinating journey through time. It began with
our ancient ancestors using animal hides for basic needs and has evolved into a global industry
that makes products we use every day. As we move forward, we must find ways to make leather
responsibly, keeping the past and future in mind.
