Sperm Oil Bottle

Object/Artifact

West Virginia Mine Wars Museum

Name/Title

Sperm Oil Bottle

Entry/Object ID

WS.0009

Description

Small glass bottle for sperm whale oil.

Use

popular industrial and domestic lubricant for sewing machines and other small machinery

Collection

Household Goods

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Embossing

Location

front

Transcription

Sperm Sewing Machine Oil

Material

Glass

Exhibitions

Exhibition

Life in the Coal Camps

Notes

Household Items case

Research Notes

Research Type

Internet

Person

Shaun Slifer

Date

Nov 21, 2020

Notes

Sperm oil is a waxy liquid obtained from sperm whales. It is a clear, yellowish liquid with a very faint odor. Sperm oil has a different composition from common whale oil, obtained from rendered blubber. Although it is traditionally called an "oil", it is technically a liquid wax. Sperm oil was a popular lubricant. It worked well for fine, light machinery such as sewing machines and watches because it is thin, does not congeal or dry out and does not corrode metals. It was also used in heavy machinery such as locomotives and steam-powered looms because it can withstand high temperatures. (en.wikipedia.org)