dec 31, 1890 - Milwaukee becomes the largest producer of tanned leather on the planet.
Description:
With the big names of German-trained craftsmen leading the way, Pfister & Vogel and Trostel & Gallun, the city's tanning industry showed remarkable growth. Milwaukee's output climbed from 102,570 hides in 1865 to 265,548 in 1880 and 533,357 in 1886. Some of the output was consumed locally; Bradley & Metcalf, a firm established by two Yankee newcomers in 1843, became one of the largest boot and show manufacturers in the Northwest, and other firms turned out everything from horse collars to chaps and saddles. The greatest demand, however, came from the sprawling shoe factories of New England. By 1890, with orders from Eastern customers on the rise, Milwaukee was the largest producer of plain tanned leather in the world.Added to timeline:
Date:
dec 31, 1890
Now
~ 135 years ago