whale oil sample in acid jar

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Whale oil sample
whale oil held in glass jar

Bequeathed by Miss Emma Smith
Museum number 1978-404-1

This small jar holds a sample of whale oil. Whale oil softened the jute fibre and made it workable enough to spin and weave. This discovery by a Dundee spinner had an enormous effect on both the whaling and textile industries.
Dundee was soon to become the world centre for jute production and Britain's premier whaling port.