Artificial Leather—Utilization of Leather Scraps and Cuttings

1871 Scientific American  
We hav� been greatly interested in the examination of specimens of artificial leather, made from leather scraps and cuttings, forwarded to us for examination by Mr. P. J. McKenzie Oerting, of Pensacflla, Florida, who has the con trol of the patent right for this country. It is almost superfluous to say anything in regard to the great value of a cheap and good process for the utilization of leather waste. This waste represents millions of dollars an· nually, A process that could reprdduce a
more » ... re of these cuttings, only half as good as the original leather, would be one of national importance, and would at once establish a new industry. The process by which the specimens above referred to are made, is, however, claimed to make uniformly an artifi cial leather even superior to ordinary tanned sole leather. Examination of these specimens reveals the following facts; It is much harder than ordinary leather, and does not yield to hammering or compression nearly as much. It is very flexible and elastic. Thin shavings of it possess as great tensile strength as shavings of equal thickness of common oak tanned leather. It is nearly, if not quite, impervious to water. It cuts smoothly and easily in working. With re
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican08121871-105 fatcat:haidfwui4rec3b5dfw2izqdbgu