in the 1850's [and the subsequent discovery of petroleum in Texas, California,etc...] there wouldn't be a whale alive today in the oceans.
Did you know that?

"Whale Oil" was a valued, highly-sought-after commodity in the
1800's. It was used for lubricants,
waxes, fuel-oil, etc...
The discovery of petroleum [which took the place of whale-oil in industry and commerce] in those places I've mentioned kept the Captain
Ahab's of the 1800's, and the first decades of the 1900's, from driving the whales to extinction.
See?...And there are some on this board who [incorrectly] think that I'm
a 'nature hater'.
Bah humbug!

Jacob