Why did people kill Humpback whales?

Answer 1

People used to kill whales for their blubber, which was used in many applications, but primarily for lamps before the light bulb was invented.

They were also hunted to much smaller extent for food. The Eskimo still hunt a few for food each year, (although they are not allowed by law to sell any of their whale catch). The Japanese, however, still commercially hunt whales for food.

Answer 2

For their blubber, it was used to make lamp oil.

The baleen was also used as stays in the corsets, hoops for the women's slips, lampshades, and layered the baleen would make springs for under buggy seats. The baleen was also cut into fine strips and used as horsewhips.

In some parts of the world, the jawbones were used for decoration, like archways with gates in front of houses, etc.