check old airports On Sun, Oct 7, 2012 at 11:48 PM, Billy Pettit <bpettitx at comcast.net> wrote: > Resend. My messages haven't been making it to the list. > > From: "Chuck Guzis" <cclist at sydex.com> wrote: > > >> On a related note, a friend of mine found in his collection a full >> sealed can of whale oil, from ADM, no less. We are not sure what to do >> with it. > > If it's really old, then it might be for illumination (burned). But > ISTR that whale oil was also used for lubricating instruments, such > as clocks and watches. So it might be worth quite a bit, assuming > the stuff doesn't go rancid with age. > > --Chuck > > Whale oil was used in a lot of precise mechanical devices that required a > fine stable oil that didn't gum up. Clocks and watches were one > application, as were some early mechanical calculators and toys. > > I used to carry it with me for working on Selectrics and teletype paper > tape gear. Would love to find some more - have been looking for 20+ years > for it. If your friend wants to sell it, I would be interested. > > Billy Pettit > > > > >