What exactly is "patent leather"? Anyone know the history or origin?

Answer 1

Patent leather is used for dress shoes -- it is very light, not very durable, but has a very high shine and looks brighter than ordinary polished shoes. Little girls Mary Jane shoes have patent leather tops and regular leather soles.
When men dress in a tux, the dress shoe that goes with the tux is black patent.
The word patent, by the way, has nothing to do with the patent you put on something when you invent it and register it in your name. It's a corruption of the word 'patina' which means a coating, and the original patent leather shoes were coated with various substances to make them shiny.

Answer 2

Patent leather is leather that has been given a high gloss finish. The original process was developed by Newark, New Jersey-based inventor Seth Boyden in 1818 with commercial manufacture beginning September 20, 1819. His process used a linseed oil-based lacquer coating. Modern patent leather usually has a plastic coating.

Patent leather is sometimes confused with poromeric imitation leathers such as DuPont's Corfam and Kuraray Co.'s Clarino which are manmade materials with a similar glossy appearance.

Patent leather and poromerics are cleaned in a similar way. Dirt adhering to the coating can be removed with a damp cloth, using a mild soap if needed. Minor scratches and scuff marks in the coating itself can be removed using one of several special purpose patent leather and poromeric cleaners on the market. With wear and tear, patent leather will eventually lose its glossy finish, but will still be smoother than most other types of leather, looking almost rubbery.

Patent leather and poromerics are used in applications where an eye-catching glossy appearance is the main consideration. Examples include fashion items such as wallets and handbags, dance and uniform shoes and professional wrestling boots.

Answer 3

Patent leather is leather that has been given a high gloss finish. The original process was developed by Newark, New Jersey-based inventor Seth Boyden in 1818 with commercial manufacture beginning September 20, 1819. His process used a linseed oil-based lacquer coating. Modern patent leather usually has a plastic coating.

Answer 4

Patent leather...a leather with a very glossy, smooth surface, usually black, made by a process formerly patented. Some shoes are made of patent leather.
I don't know the origin.