Leather has played an important role in the development of civilization. From prehistoric times man has used the skins of animals to make clothing, footwear, belts, containers for liquids, boats, shelter, floor and wall coverings and decorative attire. To the Egyptian lady, a fur piece was as highly prized as her jewelry and the protective amour of the Roman soldier was a heavy leather shirt.

Archeologists have found pieces of leather dating from 1300 B.C. in Egypt. Primitive societies in Europe, Asia and North America all developed the technique of turning skins into leather goods. The Greeks were using leather garments in the age of the Homeric heroes (about 1200 B.C.), and the use of leather later spread throughout the Roman Empire. During the middle Ages, the Chinese knew the art of making leather. The Indians of North America also had developed great skills in leather work before the coming of the white man.

At some time, by accident or by trial and error, man discovered methods of preserving and softening leather by treating animal skins with such things as smoke, grease and bark extracts. The art of tanning leather using the bark of trees probably originated among the Hebrews. In primitive societies, the art was a closely guarded secret passed down from father to son. As civilization developed in Europe, tanners and leather workers united in the trade guilds of the middle ages, as did the craftsmen in other fields. Royal charters or licenses were issued permitting people to practice leather tanning. In the nineteenth century, vegetable tanning, i.e., tanning using the extracts from the bark of certain kinds of trees, was supplemented by chrome tanning. This process uses chemicals and today accounts for about eighty to ninety percent of all tanning done except for the leather used in the soles of shoes and tooling leathers.
Mans love of leather continues to day and the craftsmanship required to turn it into a useful item is still highly valued.

The basic process for tanning leather is explained below

Step 1. Curing Once the hide has been removed from the animal it is vulnerable to putrefactive bacteria, so by curing the hide with a generous application of salt on both sides the skin can be preserved in the short term.
Step 2. Liming Liming: The hair and epidermis are removed by drumming the hides in calcium hydroxide (LIME) and sodium sulphide.
Step 3. Splitting Splitting: Leather is split into top grain and suede splits or just split to the requirements of the customer; the hides can then be shaved to the exact weight required.
Step 4. Tanning Either vegetable, mineral or a combination tanning is used to preserve the hide to a crust stage. Retanning can be used to add dyes, fat liquors, re-tan agents, anti-mould and anti-flame chemicals if so required.
Step 5. Drying Hides are dried by first of all wringing excess water out in a large mangle or setting machine, and then by stretching the hides on a frame which is then passed through a large heating chamber to dry.
Step 6. Finishing Finishing: Finishes such as pigment and lacquering are added using rollers and spray units, this allows the tanner to achieve the desired finish and seal this against wear.
Step 7. Embossing An embossed grain pattern is sometimes "printed" onto the leather's surface. This creates a more uniform break (the natural pattern which occurs along the folds of the hide) and will help to disguise scars and marks
Step 8. Drumming The hides are placed inside large stainless steel drums and tumbled. During this process the natural fibres start to loosen and a soft feel (handle) is created.