Chloe Adams
Whale oil, obtained from the blubber of whales, was once a highly sought-after commodity, particularly for illumination and lubrication. While cheaper alternatives existed, whale oil offered superior performance and a cleaner burn, making it a driving force behind the Industrial Revolution in the US, Britain, and continental Europe. The demand for whale oil, however, had a devastating impact on whale populations, leading to the development of alternative fuels such as kerosene and natural gas. Today, with most countries having banned whaling, the sale and use of whale oil have ceased. Interestingly, whale oil was also used in the creation of candles, particularly those made from spermaceti, a waxy substance found in the head cavities of sperm whales. These candles were known for their brightness, lack of odour, and ability to remain solid in warmer temperatures, making them highly desirable, yet exclusive to the wealthy due to the rarity of the substance and the complex refinement process.
Characteristics and values of whale oil candles
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Odor | Whale oil candles have a slight fishy smell but are less odorous compared to candles made from other animal fats. |
| Brightness | Whale oil candles burn brighter than those made from tallow or beeswax. |
| Cleanliness | Whale oil candles produce less smoke and are cleaner burning than candles made from other animal fats. |
| Hardness | Whale oil candles are harder than those made from tallow or beeswax, making them less likely to soften in warmer temperatures. |
| Durability | Whale oil candles are long-lasting. |
| Price | Whale oil candles were historically more expensive and considered a luxury item due to the rarity of the substance and the labor-intensive refining process. |
| Availability | Whale oil candles were typically only available to the wealthy due to their high cost and limited supply. |
| Performance | Whale oil candles performed better than cheaper alternatives for illumination and lubrication. |
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What You'll Learn
- Whale oil is better than other animal fats for candles
- Whale oil candles don't smell as bad as other animal fat candles
- Whale oil was used for more than just candles
- Spermaceti candles were made from a substance in the head cavities of sperm whales
- Spermaceti candles were odourless, long-lasting, and burned cleaner than other candles
Whale oil is better than other animal fats for candles
Whale oil candles do have a slight odour, with one source describing the smell as "fishy". However, compared to other animal fats, whale oil was considered superior for candle-making. This is because it burned brighter and cleaner than other oils, such as lard and beef tallow, which were solid at higher temperatures and thus harder to use. Whale oil was also favoured over vegetable oils, which could be too acidic and turn into varnish.
The demand for whale oil for candles and other uses, such as lubrication and illumination, fuelled the whaling industry. However, by the late 1800s, the development of cheaper and cleaner-burning alternatives, like lard and cottonseed oil, as well as the discovery of kerosene and natural gas, caused the demand for whale oil to decline.
The process of obtaining whale oil involved boiling strips of blubber harvested from whales, which was known as "trying out". This process took place on land or aboard ships on deep-sea whaling expeditions. Whale oil has a low viscosity, is clear, and varies in colour from honey yellow to dark brown, depending on the condition of the blubber.
While whale oil was historically important, most countries have now banned whaling, and the sale and use of whale oil have ceased.
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Whale oil candles don't smell as bad as other animal fat candles
Whale oil candles were once a popular source of illumination, especially in the 19th century. They were made from the blubber of whales, which was boiled to extract the oil. This process, known as "trying out", was done on shore or aboard whaling ships. While whale oil candles did have a slight odour, they were still considered superior to other animal fat candles due to their relatively mild scent.
The demand for whale oil peaked around 1850, when it was widely used for lighting and machine lubrication. However, even then, cheaper alternatives like lard oil existed, although they were considered inferior due to their stronger smell and lower-quality burn. Whale oil was also prized for its ability to remain liquid in cold temperatures, making it a reliable fuel source during chilly New England winters.
Spermaceti, a substance found in the head cavities of sperm whales, was particularly sought after for candle-making. It produced odourless, long-lasting candles that burned brighter and cleaner than those made from tallow or beeswax. Spermaceti candles were highly desirable, but their rarity and the labour-intensive refinement process made them exclusive to the wealthy.
The whaling industry declined in the late 19th century with the discovery of kerosene and natural gas as alternative lighting fuels. By the 20th century, most countries had banned whaling, and the sale and use of whale oil products, including candles, had largely ceased. Today, jojoba oil, a botanical alternative, is used in similar applications as whale oil, including candle-making.
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Whale oil was used for more than just candles
Whale oil, obtained from the blubber of whales, has been used for various purposes over the centuries. While it was commonly employed for illumination and lubrication, whale oil had several other significant applications beyond candle-making. Here are some key examples:
Illumination and Lighting:
Whale oil was widely used as a fuel for lamps and oil lanterns, providing illumination before the widespread availability of electricity. Its clear, bright flame offered superior lighting compared to alternatives like beef tallow, which burned with a smoky flame and unpleasant odour.
Industrial Lubrication:
The oil was highly valued as a lubricant for machinery, particularly in the Industrial Revolution. Whale oil's performance and cleanliness of burn made it a dominant choice despite the existence of cheaper alternatives. It helped fuel the industrialisation of the United States, Britain, and continental Europe.
Soap and Cosmetics:
Whale oil was used in the production of soap and cosmetics. The fatty acids derived from whale oil fats were key components in the creation of soaps, while the fatty alcohols were utilised in cosmetics and detergents.
Food and Condiment:
In some cultures, whale oil was consumed as a food or condiment. For example, John R. Jewitt, an Englishman held captive by the Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) people of the Pacific Northwest in the early 19th century, noted that whale oil was used with every dish, even strawberries.
Margarine:
During the 20th century, whale oil was used in the production of margarine. Advances in chemistry allowed fresh oil to be hardened into fat suitable for this purpose.
Nitroglycerin for Explosives:
Whale oil played a significant role in both World Wars, as it was crucial in the manufacture of nitroglycerin for explosives.
Medicine:
Whale liver oil was an important source of vitamin D until the 1960s.
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Spermaceti candles were made from a substance in the head cavities of sperm whales
Whale oil was a highly sought-after commodity, with many maritime fortunes being made from it. It was used for illumination, lubrication, and in the production of soap and candles. However, it was not without its drawbacks—the process of obtaining it was laborious and time-consuming, and despite its popularity, cheaper alternatives existed that provided a cleaner burn.
Spermaceti, a substance found in the head cavities of sperm whales, was one type of whale oil that was particularly valuable. It was initially believed to be whale semen due to its appearance, and this is reflected in its name, which derives from the Medieval Latin "sperma ceti", meaning "whale sperm". Spermaceti is a waxy substance that is liquid within the head of the sperm whale and has a smell similar to raw milk.
To obtain the spermaceti, whalers would first cut off the head of a killed sperm whale and pull it onto the deck of their ship. They would then cut a hole in the head and bail out the raw spermaceti with a bucket. This raw spermaceti was stored in casks to be processed back on land. A large whale could yield as much as 1,900 litres (500 US gallons or 420 imperial gallons) of spermaceti.
The process of refining the raw spermaceti involved boiling and straining it to prevent it from going rancid. The casks were then left outside during the winter, causing the spermaceti to congeal. The congealed matter was then placed in a press to extract the liquid, which was sold as "winter-strained sperm oil". This liquid form was the most valuable product as it remained liquid even in freezing temperatures. The leftover solid was then partially melted during warmer seasons, and the remaining liquid was strained off to leave a fully solid wax.
Spermaceti candles were made from this fully solid wax that was obtained from the head cavities of sperm whales. These candles had a standard photometric value, with the unit "candlepower" being based on the light produced by a single, pure spermaceti candle. The wax was hard but oily to the touch and devoid of taste or smell.
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Spermaceti candles were odourless, long-lasting, and burned cleaner than other candles
Whale oil was a highly sought-after commodity, particularly in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. It was used for illumination and machine lubrication, and its superior performance and cleanliness of burn made it a key fuel source during this era. However, the process of obtaining whale oil was arduous and often inhumane. Whalers would boil strips of blubber harvested from whales, a process known as "trying out," to extract the oil. This oil was then used in lamps and candles, among other applications.
Spermaceti, a substance derived from the head cavities of sperm whales, offered an even more desirable source of oil for candles. The whaling industry during the 17th and 18th centuries was largely driven by the search for this very substance. Spermaceti was believed to hold a variety of functions for the sperm whale, including controlling buoyancy and enhancing echolocation. When processed and refined, it formed brilliant white crystals that were hard yet oily to the touch and devoid of taste or smell.
These characteristics made spermaceti ideal for candle-making. Spermaceti candles were odourless, a distinct advantage over other candles made from tallow or beeswax, which burned with unpleasant odours. Additionally, spermaceti candles were long-lasting and burned cleaner than their competitors. They produced a brighter light and were harder, preventing them from softening in warmer temperatures. These qualities made them highly desirable, particularly for those who could afford them.
The process of refining spermaceti was intricate and labour-intensive, contributing to the exclusivity and high cost of spermaceti candles. The substance was initially heated to remove impurities, then stored in casks to harden during the winter. In the spring, the congealed substance was pressed to extract the valuable winter-strained oil, leaving behind a solid wax that could be used for candle-making.
Today, with most countries having banned whaling, the sale and use of whale oil and its derivatives, including spermaceti, have largely ceased. The development of alternative fuel sources, such as kerosene and natural gas, along with the discovery of mineral oils and the expansion of chemical refineries, contributed to the decline of the whaling industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Whale oil itself has a slightly fishy smell, but when made into candles, it is odourless.
Whale oil candles are made from the oil obtained from the blubber of whales. The blubber is boiled to extract the oil, which is then left outside in the winter to congeal. The solidified mass is then pressed to extract the liquid oil.
Yes, there are different types of whale oil, including sperm oil and spermaceti. Sperm oil is a special type of oil found in the cavities of sperm whales, while spermaceti is a waxy substance found in the head cavities of sperm whales.
Whale oil varies in colour from a bright honey yellow to a dark brown, depending on the condition of the blubber from which it is extracted.
Whale oil candles are long-lasting and were considered superior to other candles made from tallow or beeswax.
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