Atomizer of history: How perfume research has shaped a century of scientific innovation
https://phys.org/news/2024-06-atomizer-history-perfume-century-scientific.html
By the University of Chicago
Perfume research has surprisingly driven scientific advances for over a century, influencing the development of significant chemical innovations. An article in Isis highlights how fragrance research, often dismissed as trivial, led to breakthroughs in organic chemistry and polymer science. Leopold Ružička’s work on synthesizing artificial musk not only advanced the perfume industry but also contributed to Nobel Prize-winning chemistry and inspired further research leading to the creation of nylon and polyester. This history reveals how perfume has intersected with key scientific developments and industrial growth, emphasizing the overlooked importance of fragrance in scientific progress.