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"The sharks' livers were once used for machine oil, and they were killed in great numbers before a synthetic alternative was found and the demand fell" Fascina
by rahimiali 6y ago
"The sharks' livers were once used for machine oil, and they were killed in great numbers before a synthetic alternative was found and the demand fell"
Fascinating that the fate of these sharks depended on a completely unrelated technological advance.
- nabla9 6y agoWhales were killed huge numbers for whale oil during the industrial revolution. The oil was oil lamps and to make soap. (over 10-20 million gallons per year during the peak)
- goldenkey 6y agoIsn't Ambergris still used in luxury fragrances? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambergris https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambergris
- pvaldes 6y agoAmbergris is a different product that does not involve the killing of the animal necessarily. Needs to mature for several years in the sea after being defecated by the whale.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- pbhjpbhj 6y agoI thought whale oil was also used in something car related, transmissions/differentials? Yeah, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_oil#Applications https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_oil#Applications, up until 1972 in USA, apparently.