Description
Leather (also: leather) is a material made from the hides of animals killed for meat consumption, such as cows or pigs. More luxurious leathers come from, for example, deer, lamb, or calf. The import and trade of leather from protected species (such as certain snakes) may be prohibited, although this varies by country. However, this is not the case for crocodile leather, for example. The skin of some cartilaginous fish (sharks and rays) is also, or was, processed into leather. Before the leather can be used, it is tanned. This gives the hide a virtually unlimited shelf life. Leather is also usually dyed. Leather is used for bags, shoes, jackets, furniture, etc. Motorcyclists often wear leather suits to protect themselves in case of falls. Wearing leather also has sexual connotations for some (fetishism). Because leather is expensive, artificial leather is used for various of these applications. Often, artificial leather is given an artificial scent to make it resemble leather. Leather requires some maintenance. Shoes, in particular, need to be polished regularly with shoe polish to keep the leather supple. Leather clothing, such as motorcycle gear, is preferably rubbed with special leather grease. Leather that ends up in the ground is well preserved. Leather objects from the Middle Ages are known. The ice mummy Ötzi, from 3300 BC, also carried leather objects, the animal species of which could even be identified.
Making leather
