tldr;
Leather is one of the most storied products of human history. It's durable, versatile and associated with quality. It will be a great material for millenia to come. Leather makes a great lindy gift.
There's archeological evidence of hide utilization from 400,000 years ago. Modern leather working is more recent, dating back to 5000 BCE, but has a storied history. After the agricultural revolution and animal domestication provided abundant access to hides, early civilizations quickly adopted the versatile material. Leather is unique in that it's not only durable, but also light, malleable, and comfortable. This gives it a distinct advantage of metals or plant materials.
From 5000 BCE on there are continuous records of the importance of leather. It's common in early Egypt with documented use in chariots beyond just every day use. The Roman empire was a heavy user, from ornamentation to stereotypical Roman sandals. It proliferated in the craftsmanship of tanners and cobblers in the middle ages. We get leather furniture and leather bound books in the Enlightenment. It's a staple of the Western Cowboy era and then in 1970's rock and roll.
help me find references to leather gifts in literature, movies, historical records or more; dm on twitter @jakevf