[Prev][Next][Index]

Re: which vegetable oil was cultivated for lamp fuel?



Darcy Howard wrote:
> 
> alanh@widomaker.com (Alan Horowitz) wrote:
> 
> >Let me re-phrase the question, to attack it from a different angle.
> 
> >Sperm whale oil replaced - which illumination fuel?
> 
> A variety of vegetable oils were used for illumination both before and
> after whale oils were used for that purpose.  Cheaper vegetable seed
> oils was one of the factors leading to the decline of commercial
> whaling.
> 
> Mark Howard
> hchpl@fhills.starway.netau


Until about 1800, hemp seed oil was the most consumed lighting oil in 
America and the world. From then until the 1870's, it was the second most 
consumed lighting oil, exceeded only by whale oil.
(Burbank, Luther, "How Plants Are Trained To Work For Man, Useful 
Plants", P.F.Collier & Son Co., NY, Vol 6, pg 48)




Shug


Reference(s):