Bottle of whale oil

Maker William F Nye

Datec 1880

Object number00019503

NameOil

MediumWhale oil, paper, cork, glass

DimensionsOverall: 113 × 37 mm, 100 g

ClassificationsAnimals and animal products

Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds

Terms

DescriptionThe finest whale oil came from sperm whales. Just one could yield about 13 500 litres or 192 000 bottles of Mr Nye's oil. This oil was used for lubricating sewing machines and fine instruments like clocks.HistoryWhaling played an essential part in 19th century life. Industry and households depended on whale products for which there was no substitute. Whale oil was used for lighting and lubrication until 1860 when kerosene and petroleum started to gain popularity. The pure clean oil from sperm whales was a superior source of lighting and the finest candles were made from the whale's wax-like spermaceti. Light and flexible, baleen - the bristle-fringed plates found in the jaws of baleen whales - had many uses in objects which today would be made out of plastic. American whaling centred on the north-east coastal town of New Bedford, a booming industry in the 19th century with hundreds of ships regularly heading out to the Pacific Ocean.SignificanceThis bottle of Nye whale oil provides an example of the myriad of ways in which whale oil was used in the 19th century.