The Origins of Leather

The Origins of Leather

Where Did Leather Come From?
Humans likely discovered the effectiveness of tannin, from oak tree bark as a curing agent through experimenting with substances on animal hides. Tanning techniques can be traced back to texts from the millennium BC and mentioned in Homers Iliad. The ancient Egyptians were skilled in leather craftsmanship even making gloves while leather was widely used across the Roman Empire. By the Century modern leather curing techniques were established, leading to its use in both items like clothing and luxurious goods such as book bindings.


Who Invented Leather?
In times the leather industry emphasizes that leather is a by product of meat production and plays a role in preventing environmental issues. The availability of hides and skins is closely linked to meat production levels with countries like Brazil, Argentina and the USA being leather producers due to their meat industries. Italy stands out as a producer of leather goods today due to its tradition, in leather craftsmanship.
The leather industry, in Pakistan traces its roots back to the century when it began with the British Armys need for boots and saddles. Today India stands out as an exporter of leather products. However China holds the title of being the leader in leather goods production. While footwear remains an export there has been a shift towards athletic style shoes impacting market share. The demand for leather garments has decreased,. There is a rising trend, in utilizing leather for furniture and car upholstery purposes.

Where is Leather Made Today?
The leather industry maintains that leather is a by-product of the meat industry and that without leather production there would be dire environmental consequences. Clearly, the supply of hides and skins depends primarily on the production of meat. Countries where there is substantial meat production tend to produce leather. Thus Brazil, Argentina and the USA are all major producers of leather.
Sometimes there are historical reasons for the industry, Italy has a long tradition of leather craft and remains a major producer of leather goods today. Pakistan leather industry originated with the arrival of the British Army in the nineteenth century and their demand for boots and saddles and today India continues to be a major exporter of leather goods.
It is however the industrial powerhouse of China which is the world’s biggest producer of leather goods. Footwear is the major export as demand for leather footwear has continued to grow, despite losing market share to athletic style shoes. Use in leather garments has declined but use in furniture and car upholstery continues to increase.

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