The main use was for lighting as it burns cleanly and brightly. This was eventually replaced by kerosene which performs even better and doesn’t leave a fishy odor.
It was also good for machine lubrication; and didn’t really have any notable competitors until petroleum-derived lubricants were developed and manufactured en-mass.
Yeah, whale oil was the base for a large host of high quality oils. It just happens to be real good.
*really good. Not opposed to fake good.
Whale oil beef hooked.
Surprised I had to scroll this far to find this
What makes a particular oil so good?
The main use was for lighting as it burns cleanly and brightly. This was eventually replaced by kerosene which performs even better and doesn’t leave a fishy odor.
It was also good for machine lubrication; and didn’t really have any notable competitors until petroleum-derived lubricants were developed and manufactured en-mass.