Leather is one of the oldest and most versatile materials used by humans throughout history. Since the early days of civilization, leather has been used for a variety of purposes, from clothing to decorative objects and household utility.
The use of leather as raw material goes back thousands of years. Even in prehistoric times, the first groups of humans already used animal skins as a form of protection against bad weather and predators.
Over time, leather has undergone several transformations, becoming a luxury material widely used in fashion, decoration, and other areas. Today, we will explore the history of leather, from prehistoric times to the present day. We will also cover its different uses and the evolution of tanning techniques over time. Check it out!
The first records of leather usage date back to prehistoric times, when leather was used for making clothes and utensils. At this time the first processes for treating this material appeared, such as drying and smoothing. Techniques that, although rudimentary, ensure greater resistance and softness to leather.
In ancient times, leather was widely used in the making of various artifacts, such as shoes and armor, and the tanning processes evolved. Techniques such as tanning with salts and oils began to be adopted in Ancient Egypt, giving rise to more resistant and durable products.
During the Middle Ages there were great advances in the leather industry and its use became more widespread. With the creation of more advanced manufacturing techniques, the first closed shoes made of leather appeared, as well as seats covered with this material.
The tanning, dyeing and finishing processes also evolved at this time. Vegetable and animal tannins were used to give color and alter characteristics such as the softness and resistance of leather.
With the arrival of the Modern Age, leather became a luxurious material, used mainly in fashion and in high quality products. From the 18th century on, the first leather factories and more sophisticated tanning processes, such as mineral and aldehyde tanning, appeared.
These methods made leather stronger and more durable, allowing it to be used in a wider variety of luxury products. In addition, leather has become an important export product for many countries, starting a trade that moves billions of dollars annually.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, with the emergence of new technologies, the leather production process has also been improved. Today, it is possible to produce leather on a large scale, thanks to the tanning process called “wet blue“. This method consists of processing the hide in water with chromium salts and is responsible for giving the leather durability and strength.
However, wet blue is not yet the final stage of leather processing. After this tanning there are other steps that prepare the piece for its final application, such as
These are just some of the processes that leather can go through when being customized. Like these, there are several others that allow leather to be used in the most diverse applications. Just as there are companies dedicated to the tanning of leather, there are also companies that are a reference in the customization of this material, such as Courovale.
Courovale is dedicated to supplying leathers with exclusive finishing for several leather industries. Our raw material is selected and produced in a sustainable way, minimizing impacts to the environment. Visit our site and get to know our products, or contact us to request customized leathers specially for your collection.