Everything Everywhere Daily: The History of Whaling
Host: Gary Arndt
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Introduction to Whaling
In the episode titled "The History of Whaling," host Gary Arndt delves into the intricate and often perilous world of whaling, tracing its origins, evolution, and eventual decline. [00:00] Gary sets the stage by highlighting the transformation of whaling from a subsistence activity to a cornerstone of the Industrial Revolution. He remarks, "Whaling is something that humans have engaged in for thousands of years... Learn more about whaling, its rise and its fall on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily."
Early Whaling Practices
Indigenous Whaling:
Whaling's roots extend back to as early as 6000 BC, predominantly practiced by indigenous Arctic communities such as the Inuit, Ainu, and Yupik. These communities developed specialized techniques to hunt bowhead whales, utilizing every part of the animal for survival. Gary emphasizes the sustainable nature of these practices: "These early forms of whale hunting didn't significantly impact whale populations because the numbers hunted weren't significant." [06:30]
European Whaling:
The introduction of whaling to Europe began with the Basques in the Bay of Biscay around the 11th century, targeting the North Atlantic right whale. By the 12th century, organized whaling had taken root, with coastal communities adopting communal hunting methods using hand-thrown harpoons. Gary notes, "These hunts were community efforts requiring dozens of boats and hundreds of people." [12:45]
The Rise of Commercial Whaling
From the 16th to the 19th centuries, whaling morphed into a vast, dangerous, and highly profitable maritime industry. Driven by the demand for whale oil, baleen, and other products essential for the Industrial Revolution, nations like the Dutch, British, and Americans spearheaded large-scale whaling expeditions. Gary describes the perilous nature of these voyages: "Once harpooned, the whale often took off in a desperate, panicked flight... many whalemen died during these encounters." [25:15]
The Essex Incident:
A pivotal moment in whaling history was the sinking of the Essex in 1820. Struck by a massive sperm whale, the ship's crew faced a harrowing 90-day ordeal of survival that tragically included cannibalism. Gary recounts, "The Captain, George Pollard Jr., and First Mate Owen Chase were among the few who returned... The journey of the Essex became the basis of the novel Moby Dick." [35:50]
Economic Importance of Whaling
Whaling was not just about hunting animals; it was the backbone of a global industry. Whale oil fueled street lamps, lubricated machinery, and powered the early Industrial Revolution. Baleen found its way into products like corsets and umbrella ribs. Gary explains, "Whale oil was essential for nighttime productivity and safety, while baleen was indispensable for fashion and everyday goods." [45:20] The industry also provided thousands of jobs, enriching port cities like Nantucket and New Bedford.
Decline of the Whaling Industry
Several factors contributed to the decline of whaling in the latter half of the 19th century:
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Petroleum Discovery: The advent of the petroleum industry in 1859 provided a more abundant and easier-to-obtain alternative to whale oil. Kerosene swiftly replaced whale oil for lighting purposes. Gary states, "Petroleum from the ground was much larger, much easier to acquire than whale oil." [55:10]
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American Civil War: The war decimated the American whaling fleet, with many ships destroyed or repurposed by the Union Navy.
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Technological Advancements: The fashion industry began using steel stays and other materials, reducing the demand for whale products.
By the 1890s, the once-thriving American whaling industry had dramatically declined.
Modern Whaling and Conservation Efforts
Industrial Whaling:
As traditional whaling waned, modern industrial whaling emerged, led by Norway and Japan. These nations introduced explosive harpoons and factory ships, significantly increasing efficiency. Gary notes, "Modern whalers were so efficient at killing whales that the populations were dramatically declining." [1:05:30]
International Regulation:
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) was established in 1946 to regulate whaling. However, initial efforts were inadequate, with quotas set too high and poor enforcement. The Soviet Union, among others, engaged in illegal whaling, exacerbating the decline of whale populations.
Conservation Milestones:
By the 1970s, the unsustainable nature of whaling became undeniable. In 1982, the IWC imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling, effective from 1986, marking a significant turn towards conservation. Gary reflects, "The cessation of large scale commercial whale hunting has allowed whale populations to recover... the world will have whales to enjoy for centuries to come." [1:25:45]
Current Status:
While the moratorium curtailed large-scale whaling, some countries like Japan, Iceland, and Norway continue limited whaling operations. However, demand has dwindled, and economic incentives now favor whale watching over hunting. Gary observes, "There's more money to be made in whale watching now than there is in whale hunting." [1:35:20]
Recovery of Whale Populations:
Several species have shown signs of recovery since the moratorium:
- Humpback Whales: Robustly rebounding in regions like the South Atlantic and North Pacific.
- Blue Whales: Slowly increasing off the coast of California, though still endangered.
- Fin and Southern Right Whales: Benefiting from reduced hunting pressures.
However, some species, such as the North Atlantic right whales and Western gray whales, continue to face significant threats from ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements.
Conclusion
Gary Arndt's comprehensive exploration of whaling underscores its profound impact on both human economies and whale populations. The transition from subsistence hunting to industrial exploitation, followed by stringent conservation efforts, highlights the delicate balance between utilization and preservation of natural resources. The story of whaling serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's capacity for both exploitation and restoration.
“The cessation of large scale commercial whale hunting has allowed whale populations to recover and in some cases totally return, which means that the world will have whales to enjoy for centuries to come.” [1:40:10]
Production Credits
- Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
- Associate Producers: Austin Okun and Cameron Kiefer
Listener Feedback
The episode concludes with a review from a listener, Aaron Rodgers, who praises Gary's research and the podcast's ability to make his commute intellectually engaging, despite his two-hour travel time. Gary humorously responds to the review, blending personal touch with the podcast's engaging tone.
Note: This summary omits all advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the informative narrative of whaling's history as presented in the episode.