The primitive crude leather was first made by immersing raw skins and hides in a fermented solution of matter (organic) in which germs and bacteria grew and then attacked the skins or hides, that resulted in the loosening of the wool or hair and some dissolving out of skin protein. The wool or hair then was removed with old or ancient wooden scrapers or stone and meat or fat that was still attached to the side of the flesh was removed in the same way.
Tanning, which is the conversion of pelt to leather, was done by the raw stock being dusted with ground up bark other organic matter and then by placing them in vats of solution of tannin. Then ground bark was then added time to time until the solution had gone deep through the structure of skin taking almost two years for thick skins and hides. In open sheds the leather was then hung for some days. The dressing of the leather that took place included shaving it to a certain thickness, treating with greases and oils, coloring, drying and then treating the grain surface with proteins (egg albumins and blood), waxes and shellac for attractive and beautiful surface finishes.
Leather during the middle-ages was also used for clothes, footwear, trunks and cases, bags, leather bottles, harness, saddler, upholstery of couches and chairs, for binding of books and for various military uses. Coaches, walls and sedan chairs were also decorated by leather. Leather, majorly, was tanned with bark of oak but gloving, soft clothing and footwear leathers were tanned with oil, alum, and their combinations. With the introduction and discovery of chemicals such as sulphuric acid, tanners slowly finished their old and antique ways and leather production gradually became a series of chemical processes.
The vast growth of industrialization during the 18th and 19th centuries raised the demand for new varieties and kinds of leathers and leather products for example leathers was used to drive the machines that were introduced into industry. Also special leathers were used in looms in the textile industry. Leathers were also used for washers and in furniture upholstery and transport.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the new inventions of modern roads, motor car, new ranges of coal tar dyestuffs, demand for softer, smoother and lightweight footwear with an elegant and fashionable appearance, and for the rise of standards of living supple, soft and colorful leather became a requirement. The old vegetable tanned leather was very hard and thick for the above requirements and so, salts of the metal chromium were used and chrome tanning became extremely popular in modern fashion leathers and footwear. It produces supple, soft and amazing plus beautiful fine leathers which reflect the way we live our lifestyles.
So leather we use today has a very long history and now each time you buy a leather product such as a handbag, a purse, shoes or jackets you will be reminded of it!