Technical problems of the tanning industry

The object of this article is to present a composite engineering view of one of the world´s oldest industries, for the purpose of directing the attention of the electrical engineer toward some of the more urgent requirements of this industry, which, being primarily electrical, he in particular is peculiarly able to furnish. The article outlines engineering principles applied in the art of leather making, while views, taken in modern tanneries, show typical manufacturing processes in the two main divisions of the industry. To facilitate visualizing engineering progress in the art, a brief description of manufacturing processes is included as a feature of the treatise. Some recent developments, in the form of mechanical-electrical units, now coming into use, are also illustrated and described; while the article concludes with a table of motor horse power requirements for the individual machine operations performed in making leather. The authors acknowledge having been assisted in preparing the manuscript with statistics and photographs made available through the courtesy of Tanners Council, New York City, General Electric Company, and the First National Bank of Boston, Mass.