Ancient
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· People everywhere have been searching for ways to hide unwanted odours and “freshen” the air around them for ages. Whether it be masking the scent of smelly gym socks and teenage boys in this day and age or finding a new way to mask the unpleasant scent that may arise in tombs where relatives and kings and queens may rest (ancient Egyptians) people have been obsessed with creating a pleasant aroma in their surroundings. 6
For the past 2,000 years human being have found a variety of ways to change the natural occurring scents detected in their surrounds environment. 6 In the past the use of floral extracts, spices and other naturally founding aromas were used to change the scent in the air. 6
For the past 2,000 years human being have found a variety of ways to change the natural occurring scents detected in their surrounds environment. 6 In the past the use of floral extracts, spices and other naturally founding aromas were used to change the scent in the air. 6
Yesteryear
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It wasn't until 1948 that the air freshener that we know today was first introduced. 6 Using technology developed by the military to dispense insecticides during World War II (see how aerosol cans work) new aerosol cans contained 1% perfume, 24% alcohol and 75% chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellant were beginning to be found in local grocery stores and households.6 Promising pine tree breeze freshness for all rooms of the house, and so the air freshener was born.6 Primarily used as a was to mask unwanted odours, during the 1950s – as freshener grew in popularity within the public - production companies began adding chemicals such as unsaturated esters, long chain aldehydes and pre-polymers that could be used to destroy unwanted odours while still retaining that pine and floral scent that everyone was striving for.6 Though with this new development in air freshener formula came some complications. 6 By 1970 air fresheners were still the rage and companies were constantly coming up with new more effective ways to neutralize odours for longer periods of time while reducing costs.6 At this point you could find a variety of different air fresheners in a magnitude of scents all claiming to eliminate the odours from cigarette smoke to annoying p pet scents.6 The world – or at least the average north American household was a lovely scent to smell.6 By the 1990s the public was becoming somewhat bored of the average aerosol can that could contain the scents of the forest so new and old innovative ways were enlisted to continue the hype around air fresheners 6 Things like potpourri, made up of dry spices and herbs battery powered fans that circulated scents around a room, modified candles, and most popular of all Glade Plug-Ins were beginning to hit the market.6 Plug-Ins offered a new way to retain pleasant aromas in a room without the hassle of having to whip out an aerosol can and spray the room, which sometimes left things sticky and wet when sprayed on upholstery.6 Instead Plug-Ins allowed homeowners to retain scent for over a month by simply install a small device into an electrical socket, the device consisted of a plastic tray filled with a fragrant gel, as the device heats up (thanks to electricity) the fragrance is slowly diffused into the air over a period of time. 6
References:
6."How Products Are Made." How Air Freshener Is Made. Advameg, Inc., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. <http://www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Air-Freshener.html>.
6."How Products Are Made." How Air Freshener Is Made. Advameg, Inc., n.d. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. <http://www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Air-Freshener.html>.