photo #8951298

200-year-old sealskin whaling suit from Greenland. Now in the National Museum of Denmark The hunter crawled into the sealskin suit through the central hole, making it waterproof by pulling the hole closed. So this creepy looking brown leather onesie is actually a legit 19th century Inuit sealskin whaling suit from Greenland (pre-1834). It’s made entirely from sealskin, stitched with sinew, and that big hole in the chest...that’s the entrance. You’d step in feet first, pull it up like the world’s most hardcore wetsuit, then cinch the drawstring super tight so no water could get in when you’re out in a kayak hunting whales or seals. Basically an OG drysuit invented by people who had to survive −40 °C oceans without Gore tex. Had to share, as I had no idea. Used not in a kayak, but while whale hunting from umiaq skin boats. There was a belt tied around the waist and the upper part was inflated with air in order for the wearer to float on water, if the whales tail capsized the boat, until help from another boat arrived. It was also used whilst the whale was butchered on the shore and the tide was up. It's Greenlandic name was Aterlak / Atallaat (Springpels in Danish).