Whaling using a harpoon gun, 19th-century artwork. New technologies, such as steam power, and new weapons, such as explosive harpoons and harpoons fired from cannons like this one, allowed increased hunting of whales in the late 19th century. The whales were hunted for their oil and blubber (fat layer), which was used to make soaps, cosmetics and other commercial products. This wood engraving dates from circa 1897.