Today, perfume is known to impress, captivate, and attract those around us. In ancient times, perfumes and fragrances had a different purpose. Here are a few fun facts about the history of perfumes:

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1. Early Use of Fragrances - Ancient Civilizations
1. Mesopotamia
1. Used in religious ceremonies
2. Egypt
1. People bathed in scented fragrances
3. Rome
1. Fragrance meant status and wealth
2. Perfumes for Hygiene - 17th Century
1. Fragrances used to make body odor and poor hygiene more tolerable
2. Generally placed in handkerchiefs, clothes, and soaps
3. Perfumes en Masse - 20th Century
1. Perfume manufacturing became more efficient
2. Increase in scented products on store shelves
4. Perfume Bottle Design
1. In the early 1900s, perfume bottles were a commodity
2. People were buying for the bottle rather than the fragrance
5. Fragrances for Men - Post WWII
1. Once just scented after-shave for men
2. After WWII, men gravitated toward fresh-smelling scents
6. Modern Fragrances
1. Natural and synthetic scents used today to impress and attract those around us
2. Studies show that fragrances are also used to reduce stress and increase energy levels

Resources:

• https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/history/story-perfume
• https://www.si.edu/spotlight/health-hygiene-and-beauty/fragrance
• https://lithub.com/a-brief-history-of-perfume-visiting-an-archive-of-ancient-scents/