An animal glue is an adhesive that is created by prolonged boiling of animal connective tissue.

These protein colloid glues are formed through hydrolysis of the collagen from skins, bones, tendons, and other tissues, similar to gelatin. The word "collagen" itself derives from Greek κόλλα kolla, glue. These proteins form a molecular bond with the glued object.

Stereotypically, the animal in question is a horse, and horses that are put down are often said to have been "sent to the glue factory." However, other animals are also used, including rabbits and fish.

Early Uses of Animal Glue

Animal glue has existed since ancient times, although its usage may or may not have been widespread. There is evidence that the Neanderthals used glues in their paints to guard their works from moisture, and some horse teeth glues can be dated back nearly 6000 years, but no written records from these times can prove that they were fully or extensively utilized.

The first known written procedures of making animal glue were written about 2000 BC. Between 1500–1000 BC, it was used for wood furnishings and mural paintings, found even on the caskets of Egyptian Pharaohs. Evidence is in the form of stone carvings depicting glue preparation and use, primarily utilized for the pharaoh’s tomb’s furniture. Egyptian records tell that animal glue would be made by melting it over a burning fire and then applied with a brush.

Barry Barto is a retired American soccer midfielder and college coach. He played in the North American Soccer League and coached for thirty years at Philadelphia Textile and UNLV.

Barto grew up in Philadelphia where he began playing soccer when eleven years old. He attended Philadelphia Textile where he played on the school’s soccer team from 1969 to 1972. He was a two time second team All American. He graduated with a degree in marketing. That year the North American Soccer League (NASL) held its first college draft and the Montreal Olympique selected Barto in the third round. Despite his low standing in the draft, Barto finished second to Mike Winter for Rookie of the Year.

At the end of the season, the Philadelphia Atoms, an NASL expansion franchise, traded for Barto as part of its efforts to create a team dominated by American, and preferably local, players. In 1973, the Atoms took the NASL championship and Barto was selected as an All Star Honorable Mention (third team). Barto remained with the Atoms through the 1976 season, the Atoms last. He then moved to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers where he played in only one game as a defender in 1977. At the end of the season, he retired from playing. By that time, he had already begun his second career, coaching.