It was mainly whale oil that was used to light Europe. It also lubricated machinery, was an ingredient in soaps and cosmetics, and was used in leather, wool, and paint processing.
Vaļu trāns Eiropā savulaik bija galvenais apgaismošanas līdzeklis, un to izmantoja arī mehānismu eļļošanai, ziepju, kosmētikas un krāsu ražošanai, kā arī ādu un vilnas apstrādei.