Hide (skin)

A hide is an animal skin treated for human use. Hides include leather from cattle and other livestock animals, alligator skins, snake skins for shoes and fashion accessories and furs from wild cats, mink and bears. In some areas leather is produced on a domestic or small industrial scale but most leather making is done on a large scale. Various tannins are used for this purpose. Leather from processed hides has a variety of uses including shoes and clothing, horse tack, horse harness, upholstery and evevn wall or other surface coverings.

History

Many American Indians used animal hides to build houses such is tepees and wigwams. The Arctic Indians also used this material for waterproof clothes and kayaks as well as for their houses.

Until the invention of plastic drumheads in the 1950s, animal hides were used.

Animal hides have always been used as a status symbol. Fur was used to demonstrate wealth, both by ancient kings and modern people. Natural leather is used in many expensive products, including limousines and designer mobiles phones.

Production

Sable fur is produced in China and is one of the most expensive.

Use

Hides have also been used to build canoes and tents, as simple window panes, and as material for writing. For example, many medieval books were written on vellum parchment. Many drums, especially hand drums like the pandeiro have their skin made from hides.

The fur trade led to the opening of the interior of the North American continent. In particular, the popularity of beaver hats in Europe in the 17th and 18th century led to displacement of native tribes, several inter-tribal wars and the eventual near-eradication of the beaver.

Controversy

There are many artificial replacements for animal hides, including artificial fur and artificial leather. Their quality and the quality of other replacements is disputed.

See also

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