Spotlight on the 1996
SIGTel
Online Award Winners
SWAP (Scrimshaw Whale Art
Projects)
Jane
Isenburg
Prather/Tech
Center
2300 W. 25th St.
Granite City, IL 62040 USA
While studying oceanography, fourth-grade students discovered the
word
"scrimshaw" in a crossword puzzle. To acquaint themselves with this
form of carving and engraving on whale bone or whale ivory, which was
a handicraft
practiced by sailors during long voyages, they contacted a local
collector.
Careful scrutiny of the objects revealed much about the American
whalers'
history and philosophies. Afraid that this rare art form may never be
viewed
by others because of the decline of the whaling industry and the
embargo against
killing whales worldwide, students would like to contribute to a
"scrimshaw
gallery" through a Web site.
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