ARCTIC OIL WORKS

By Eric McGuire

If you are thinking of the male contribution to the preservation of the species, then it has no place in the subject related to sperm oil. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the oil derived from the rendering of fat from the body of the Sperm whale was the gold standard for a variety of uses, primarily for lighting and lubrication.

In this case, the word “sperm” is derived from “spermaceti,” an organ found primarily within the head of toothed whales. Yes, the waxy substance in this organ was once thought to be whale sperm, and the name has stuck throughout the centuries. As much as 500 gallons of this liquid may be found in the head of a mature sperm whale—including both sexes. The refined spermaceti was used for a variety of needs in the 18th and 19th centuries, including providing a superior non-freezing lubricant often used with delicate mechanical parts. It was also used as a primary source of lighting along with the rendered fat of the whales. The precise function of the spermaceti gland and its waxy contents has not been determined, but it appears to be related to the whale’s communication system by providing exceptionally good sound reception.