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A Whale-Oiled Machine
99% Invisible
Whale Oil Is a Very High Performance Lubricant
For a long time, machines were lubricated with whatever local material was lying around. William F. Nye realized that there was something special about the oil from those giant marine mammals landing in the port of New Bedford. By all accounts, the opulent city of New Bedford stunk of rotting whale. But to nigh, it was the putrid stench of opportunity.
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