A RESEARCH INSTITUTE TO SUPPORT THE NEAPOLITAN GLOVE INDUSTRIES
Royal Decree establishing the “Stazione Sperimentale per l’Industria delle Pelli – SSIP” in Naples.
Year 1885
Fondo Biblioteca SSIP
The glove industry in Naples has historically been a major production sector, and has significantly contributed to the economic well-being of the city.
However, during the 19th century, this trade faced a serious production crisis, and specific research was set in place to highlight the causes and come up with possible recovery strategies for the industry. One of the most significant analyses was carried out by Oreste Lattes, Inspector of the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Industry and Trade.
His report, published in the “Annali dell’industria e del commercio” in 1884, under the title “Sull’industria dei guanti in Napoli e sui provvedimenti che la riguardano (About the glove making industry in Naples and the provisions concerning it)”, was based on a broad discussion between tanners, dyers, manufacturers, main workers and exporters, coming together to outline common strategies for the sector’s relaunch.
The need to support the Neapolitan glove industry was the subject of a heated debate in the Chamber of Deputies’ session of 5 March 1894. The proposals made led to the decree of February 1885, which established the “Stazione Sperimentale per l’Industria delle Pelli (Italian Leather Research Institute)”.
The organisation set out on an intense scientific activity dedicated to leather tanning and dyeing, offering consultancy services and technical support to operators of the sector. From the early decades of the 20th century, the Research Institute underwent significant expansion, and equipped itself with state-of-the-art laboratories for chemistry, leather dyeing and the experimentation of tanning techniques.
A museum for raw and processed materials, and a specialized library – now preserved at the Pozzuoli Headquarter – were also set up.
Through these innovations, the Institute managed to react to the growing technological demands of the industry in an effective way.