Growth of the Industry By the 16th and 17th centuries, demand for leather grew with expanding armies, growing cities, and increased trade. Tanneries became larger and more organized, supplying military boots, harnesses, bookbinding materials, and fashion goods. Technological Innovations

Raw Materials Tanning begins with fresh animal hides from cattle, goats, sheep, and other animals. The quality of raw hides was crucial. Techniques Early tanning involved soaking hides in water, scraping off hair and flesh, and treating them with natural tannins—plant-derived chemical

Leather tanning is one of humanity’s oldest crafts, an ancient process that transforms raw animal hides into durable, flexible material used for clothing, tools, armor, and countless other purposes. Tanneries—the specialized workshops or factories where tanning takes place—have a l

The Leather Tanneries Tanning leather was a smelly process involving soaking animal hides in urine and other chemicals. Tanneries were typically located on the outskirts of the city but the odors often drifted into residential areas. Dyers and Brewers Dyeing fabric and brewing beer also