Leather is a material created through
the tanning of hides and skins of
animals, primarily cattlehide. The
tanning process converts the putrescible
skin into a durable, long-lasting and
versatile natural material for various
uses. Together with wood, leather formed
the basis of much ancient technology.
The leather industry and the fur
industry are distinct industries that
are differentiated by the importance of
their raw materials. In the leather
industry the raw materials are
by-products of the meat industry, with
the meat having higher value than the
skin. The fur industry uses raw
materials that are higher in value than
the meat and hence the meat is
classified as a by-product. Taxidermy
also makes use of the skin of animals,
but generally the head and part of the
back are used. Hides and skins are also
used in the manufacture of glue and
gelatin
