Whale meat provided an important source of protein in areas of the world with a limited number of land animals available as food, and in northern regions affected by a growing season too short to support a base of agriculture. The Inuit hunted whales in kayaks with stone harpoons. They harvested only a few whales each year and used every part of the animal for food, fuel, tools and even building materials. European followed by New World whalers quickly devastated this balance. Terrestrial sources of meat were available to the Europeans and New World whalers.
Oil is produced from the meat and blubber, and is used in lamps and as a lubricant.
Manufacturers fashioned the strong and highly flexible baleen into buggy whips, umbrella stays, skirt hoops, strapping for beds, brushes, and caning for chairs. The baleen from one whale would pay the expenses for the entire voyage. Everything else was clear profit. The Basques of northern Spain were hunting right whales in the Bay of Biscay by the 12th century. Spotters manned watchtowers along the shore and alerted waiting boats to nearby whales.