High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Patent leather is leather that has been given a high gloss, shiny finish. The original process was developed by Newark-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 coatingPatent 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.