Cutting off the Blubber, c 1845.

UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 01: Vignette from a lithographic plate showing whale hunters cutting off the blubber from a dead whale. Blubber is the layer of fat from under the whale�s skin from which whale oil is obtained. Whale oil derived from the melted down blubber can be used as a lubricant, illuminant and motor oil, as well as an ingredient in cosmetics, detergents and vitamins. As much as 40 barrels of oil can be obtained from a single sperm whale. Taken from 'The Whale' in 'Graphic Illustrations of Animals - showing their utility to man in their services during life, and uses after death' (1845), illustrated by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and R K Thomas and published by Thomas Varty. Printed by J Graf, C Graf, Day and Haghe. (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)