* Ancient Egypt: Depictions of dogs on leashes have been found in ancient Egyptian tomb paintings dating back to around 2000 BC. These leashes appear to be simple ropes or straps.
* Ancient Rome: Roman writings mention the use of leashes for dogs, primarily for hunting and guarding purposes. Some believe the Romans used leather straps with collars, similar to modern leashes.
* Medieval Europe: During this period, leashes became more common for both hunting and companionship dogs. They were often made from rope, leather, or chain.
* 18th and 19th Centuries: The Industrial Revolution led to the mass production of dog leashes, with more varied materials and designs becoming available. These included leather, chain, and metal-tipped ropes.
Therefore, the invention of dog leashes can be traced back to ancient times, with their use becoming more widespread throughout history. It's likely that simple forms of leashes existed long before recorded history, perhaps just ropes used to restrain dogs.