Indians came first.
Wampanoag natives boiled down whale oil for lighting that burned brighter and longer than candles. Islanders turned to large wooden casks to store and transport oil; and from a local tree, they made necessary tools.
The “beetle” was a hard wooden mallet. The “bung” was a wooden stopper.
Folks dubbed the tree a Beetlebung. Hard as nails, it grew up until the salt air made it go sideways in a peculiar way.
"Beetlebung Fantasy" by Peter Simon, October, 2006 Beetlebung Corner, Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard 'Every year I keep my eyes peeled to this magical spot in Chilmark. When the bright colors appear, I gravitate towards the best angle for the perfect shot.' - Peter Simon www.petersimon.com
Demand for oil boomed. Whalers “beetled” bungs into giant casks to seal and ship them faraway. Thousands of casks per hold. Schooners, casks, beetles, and bungs formed a pipeline to the world.
Then it ended. “Coal oil” (kerosene), Rockefeller, the Civil War, modernity. A reprieve for the whales.
Martha’s Vineyard is a precious place.