In ancient times, survival depended on sheer agricultural and hunting abilities, and the primitive man quickly discovered how to exploit nature's offerings.
To be able to make it through the harsh winters, our ancestors processed the fur and skin of the animals they hunted into clothes. Realizing that their prey had much more to offer than plain meat, the primitive man began taming and growing animals around his household and specialized in manufacturing durable, dependable clothing from animal skins and furs.
Leather was lighter, stronger than fur, and it turned out to be very suitable for clothing. Processing leather, however, took a lot of time and skill. First, the hide of the animal had to be properly cured, skinned, cleaned and dried. After curing, leather was handled with salts for preservation and sent to a tannery for further processing.
As leather obtained from wild animals, cattle or pigs proved to be very strong and compact, it started to be used for creating body armor, boots, saddles, hunting accessories as well as weapons, such as slings or bows. Water-resistant leather was used for making roofs, tent coverings or recipients and containers such as bottles or buckets. The great Vikings even covered their boats in leather.
In antiquity, leather was also a suitable substitute for papyrus or paper, as it proved to be a good writing surface.
Finer leather obtained from ostrich, lizard, alligator or shark skin was processed into more luxurious clothes and commercialized.
Nowadays, the method of tanning is entirely automated and industrialized. However, in spite of the advanced technology available, tanneries primarily make use of the same techniques that were used during the past. Although significantly improved, the contemporary methods of processing leather into clothing, shoes or other accessories depend on the wisdom, knowledge and craftsmanship of the ancestors.
Depending on the kind of skin, contemporary tanneries use 3 different techniques of tanning. Vegetable tanning is the earliest technique and it uses some of the ancient ingredients for leather processing. This technique demands a lot of time, but the leather created is extremely strong and tough. Furthermore, it's water-resistant, and appropriate for fabricating shoes, boots or coats.
A more specialized tanning method consists in dipping the leather in animal fat and fish oil after it's been cured and dried. The oil is absorbed into the hide and the result is a soft, pliable material that preserves its qualities in any circumstances.
The 3rd technique, and also the fastest, consists in treating the skin with mineral salts. High quality leather can be obtained as a result of this type of tanning in just a few hours or days.
Leather was once a crucial factor in the struggle for survival. In contemporary culture, however, it's become a commodity and it not just serves for functional uses, but also for aesthetical ones. Lavish leather clothes or accessories such as gloves, footwear, luggage, coats, are extremely trendy and highly asked for.
To be able to make it through the harsh winters, our ancestors processed the fur and skin of the animals they hunted into clothes. Realizing that their prey had much more to offer than plain meat, the primitive man began taming and growing animals around his household and specialized in manufacturing durable, dependable clothing from animal skins and furs.
Leather was lighter, stronger than fur, and it turned out to be very suitable for clothing. Processing leather, however, took a lot of time and skill. First, the hide of the animal had to be properly cured, skinned, cleaned and dried. After curing, leather was handled with salts for preservation and sent to a tannery for further processing.
As leather obtained from wild animals, cattle or pigs proved to be very strong and compact, it started to be used for creating body armor, boots, saddles, hunting accessories as well as weapons, such as slings or bows. Water-resistant leather was used for making roofs, tent coverings or recipients and containers such as bottles or buckets. The great Vikings even covered their boats in leather.
In antiquity, leather was also a suitable substitute for papyrus or paper, as it proved to be a good writing surface.
Finer leather obtained from ostrich, lizard, alligator or shark skin was processed into more luxurious clothes and commercialized.
Nowadays, the method of tanning is entirely automated and industrialized. However, in spite of the advanced technology available, tanneries primarily make use of the same techniques that were used during the past. Although significantly improved, the contemporary methods of processing leather into clothing, shoes or other accessories depend on the wisdom, knowledge and craftsmanship of the ancestors.
Depending on the kind of skin, contemporary tanneries use 3 different techniques of tanning. Vegetable tanning is the earliest technique and it uses some of the ancient ingredients for leather processing. This technique demands a lot of time, but the leather created is extremely strong and tough. Furthermore, it's water-resistant, and appropriate for fabricating shoes, boots or coats.
A more specialized tanning method consists in dipping the leather in animal fat and fish oil after it's been cured and dried. The oil is absorbed into the hide and the result is a soft, pliable material that preserves its qualities in any circumstances.
The 3rd technique, and also the fastest, consists in treating the skin with mineral salts. High quality leather can be obtained as a result of this type of tanning in just a few hours or days.
Leather was once a crucial factor in the struggle for survival. In contemporary culture, however, it's become a commodity and it not just serves for functional uses, but also for aesthetical ones. Lavish leather clothes or accessories such as gloves, footwear, luggage, coats, are extremely trendy and highly asked for.
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