Facts about Tanning

Tanning was being carried out by the South Asian inhabitants of Mehrgarh between 7000–3300 B.C.E.

Mineral tanning usually uses a chromium salt, particularly chromium sulfate.

Before tanning, the skins are unhaired, degreased, desalted and soaked in water over a period of six hours to two days.

The tanning agents used include the plant product known as tannin (from which "tanning" gets its name), fish or animal oil, and salts of chromium.

In ancient history, tanning was considered a noxious or "odiferous trade" and relegated to the outskirts of the town, amongst the poor.

The term taxonomy is derived from the Greek taxis ("arrangement;" from the verb tassein, meaning “to classify”) and nomos (“law” or “science,” such as used in “economy”).

Once bating is complete, the hides and skins are treated with a mixture of common salt and sulfuric acid in case a mineral tanning is to be done.

The two aforementioned solutions for removing the hair also act to clean the fiber network of the skin and therefore allow penetration and action of the tanning agent.

Tanning may be carried out using animal, plant, or mineral products.

Chrome tanning is faster than vegetable tanning (less than a day for this part of the process) and produces a stretchable leather which is excellent for use in handbags and garments.

Tanning can be performed with either vegetable or mineral methods.

Tanning is the process by which raw animal skins and hides are converted into leather.

The two aforementioned solutions for removing the hair also act to clean the fiber network of the skin and therefore allow penetration and action of the tanning agent.