In 1891, Panasote began marketing a leather substitute, created by gluing together two fabrics with Pantasote gum. The surface was further treated with Pantasote and embossed to provide a hide leather finish.
The Pantasote name was coined using Greek roots, meaning "to serve all purposes." The product lasted longer than leather, was cheaper to make, and more easily cleaned. It was used to make upholstery and curtains and was waterproofed for the manufacture of tents and awnings. Amazingly, this Panasote Cobbler Seats Advertising Brochure has also survived longer than some leather goods.
This 1901 Pantasote Cobbler Seats illustrated brochure reminds me of a line from one of my all-time favorite movies, Lost in America. In it, Albert Brooks has the following exchange about leather seats with a Mercedes salesman:
--That's everything? --Except leather. --For what I'm paying, I don't get leather? --You get Mercedes leather. --Mercedes leather? What's that? --Thick vinyl.
