A Brief History of Fragrances
Through the ages, humans have encountered a wide range of scents. Naturally, we’ve gone to great lengths to cover up unpleasant scents with good ones. The result is a wide range of colognes and perfumes that mask our natural odors and make ourselves more alluring. Here’s a brief look at fragrances through history:
Religious origins
Pleasant-smelling flowers, fruits, and herbs have been around since time immemorial. As far as we know, the art of perfumery began in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt in at least the 2nd millennium B.C. The Egyptians would raise scented smoke to the sky as an offering to their gods; the word “perfume” comes from the Latin words per fumum, meaning “through smoke.”
Development
Since fragrances are inherently fleeting, there aren’t many specific details about the development of perfumery. Still, we know that Al-Kindi, an Arabian chemist and philosopher, was a major figure in the 9th century. One of his many accomplishments was to create a tome filled with perfume recipes and methods. Meanwhile, perfumery became less popular in Europe with the spread of Christianity.
Eau de Cologne
As international trade picked up during the Renaissance, fragrances again became popular throughout Europe. One notable fragrance was Eau de Cologne, which was developed by perfumer Johann Maria Farina in the German city of Cologne during the early 1700s. The perfume became so popular that we now use the word “cologne” to refer to all sorts of fragrances.
Modern uses
In the last few centuries, perfume-making techniques have become extremely sophisticated. Perfumers have isolated several “olfactive families,” and combined them to create wonderful fragrances. Perfume, which is predominately worn by women, often has a floral or fruity scent. Cologne, most often worn by men, is typically muskier.
If you’d like to learn more about the world of fragrances, come by Warehouse Suit Sale near Los Angeles. While you’re here, you should check out our selection of discount suits and tuxedos. We have so many suits on our racks that you’re bound to find several winners. Call us today at (310) 294-9715 to learn more about our wholesale prices.
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