These methods, which gradually become more redefined and efficient, allowed skins to be used in the ancient world and continued to do so for century up to the present day. That the use of these techniques was widespread is witnessed by numerous written documents and paintings as well as archeological finds. In Mesopotamia in the period between the fifth and third millennium B.C., for example, the Sumerians used skins for long dresses and diadems for the ladies. The Assyrians used leather for footwear but also liquid containers and, inflated, as floats for rafts. And ti was the ancient Indian civilization which first processed leather of the type known as "Morocco" today.

The Egyptians also achieved considerable skill in processing leather which they used for clothing (even for gloves ), for tools, for arms or simply for ornament. The historian, Strabo, tells of an interesting use developed by Phoenicians who, he says, made water pipes from it. During Roman times, leather was widely used in all the provinces of the Empire, and more efficient tanning techniques were introduced where they had not been developed locally. That skill in leather tanning was not a prerogative of the western world is recounted by Marco Polo. In his "Travels", he tells us that the Mongols used leather flasks, covers, masks and caps, decorated artistically, and it was he who coined the expression "Russia leather" to indicate a type with a characteristic fragrance. A considerable improvement in processing techniques occurred in the 12th century with the result that between then and the last century, there were no substantial changes to tanning systems. Even oil tanning was used to produce protective garments while tawing was widespread though the result were not always satisfactory. Often, furthermore, finishing operations were carried out to improve the malleability of the leather and improve its appearance, especially by dyeing.

The products, though essentially practical, also met decorative requirements. In the fourteenth century, for instance, leather was being used in combination with wood in chairs, arm-chairs and settles with craftsmanship that reached the levels of an art-form. This was also the case later on with tapestries(especially in Venice in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries ), with chests and cases and, of course, with book bindings, perhaps the most lasting and redefined use of the material. Going back to tanning techniques, it was more or less in the Middle Ages that the depilating action of quick lime was discovered, a technique which is still valid and normally used. A radical shake-up was provided in the middle of the last century with the discovery of the tanning power of chrome salts which led to a drastic improvement in production and was applied in practice in industrial production towards the end of the century.

Another revolutionary element was the substitution of the tanning pit with the rotating drum, together with the discovery of new types of tannins. As a result of all these innovations, the time required for tanning was shortened incredibly from the eight months to a year it use to be to a period of a few days today. But let us take a step back again to have a look at the systems and tools that were once used to work leather. We immediately discover that from Paleolithic times almost to the present day, the processes and tools remained almost unchanged, gaining only in efficiency and comfort.Similar tools for fleshing, scraping, shaving, perching and trimming are found in practically every epoch known to us. This is a further demonstration of the fact that tanning has gone hand in hand with the history of mankind, maintaining those features of "craftmanship" which even today with increasing automation are an essential part of the personal sensibility and 0solid experience of those who carry it on.