whale oil

Whale oil is a type of oil derived from the blubber of whales. Historically, it was highly valued for its use in lamps, providing a bright, steady light before the availability of kerosene and electricity. Whale oil was also used in lubricants, soaps, and cosmetics. Extracting it involved boiling whale blubber to release the oil. Due to the significant decline in whale populations and the rise of alternative resources, whale oil use has been phased out and is now largely banned to protect whale species.