Tanning leather
Discover the historical methods used to produce this versatile material from animal skin
The warmth provided by a leather jacket, or the comfort experienced when you sit on a leather seat, is a result of a complex process. Leather was first made when hunter gatherers sought to maximise use of the materials around them. While modern leather mostly comes from cattle, it first originated from the skin of almost any wild animal.
After tracking them down to eat, people began to experiment with different parts of the animals. This meant that the bits they didn’t benefit from by eating wouldn’t necessarily go to waste. The skins were prepared, cut and shaped to make clothes and tools, just as they are today.