Leeds University, Department of Leather Industries

c.1915 During the First World War substantial contributions in research and technology were made by Leeds University. A university report for 1915-16 states 'Ever since August 1914, the University has conceived it to be its highest duty to place its resources at the disposal of the authorities for use in connection with the prosecution of war'. This is a view of the Leather Industries department showing equipment and apparatus used in a traditional method of tannin leather. It uses vegetable tans and the process takes 10 to 12 weeks. The Department gave chemical and technical advice both to manufacturers and the Goverment. Henry R. Procter ran the Department and was known as the 'father of leather chemistry'. His analysis of tannin was of great technical and commercial importance.