The History of Perfume: How the Most Beautiful Fragrances Were Invented

We are all captivated by unique scents, whether we’re talking about ambient fragrances or those designed to perfume the body. But how many people actually know the history of the alluring aromas that surround us?

Well, these enticing scents date back to the time of the ancient Egyptians. However, you can uncover more fascinating details about the origin and history of perfume in the lines that follow!

Curiosities About Ancient Perfumes

The Egyptians are considered the inventors of perfume, though in a much more rudimentary form compared to the modern products we have today. They used various scents during religious rituals, funeral ceremonies, and in the beauty routines of the elite.

A humorous fact about the history of perfume is that the Egyptians believed it was, in fact, the sweat of the Sun God Ra.

Over time, archaeologists have discovered a series of Egyptian recipes for making perfume essences, which were quite sophisticated for their time. The oldest perfume bottles date back to around 1000 BC. It’s worth noting that, unlike today’s products, ancient fragrances were oil-based rather than alcohol-based.

Similarly, the ancient Persian royal class had a special interest in perfumes. In fact, the Persian people dominated the perfume trade for a long time. Moreover, some historians and researchers even attribute many modern discoveries related to the distillation process of perfumes to the Persians.

In Ancient Rome and Greece, fragrances were often used to draw worshippers closer to the deities.

The Etymology of the Word “Perfume”

The term “perfume” has Latin origins and is formed by combining two words, “per” and “fumus,” which translate to “through smoke.” However, it was the French who first documented the concept of perfume in 1528 in the sense we understand today.

Perfumery in the Modern Era

Over time, perfume production grew and modernized, with a significant change occurring in 1190, when the perfume industry experienced a true commercial boom in Paris.

Later, between the 17th and 18th centuries, orange blossom water was discovered in the French capital, a discovery credited to Duchess Nerola. It was also here that Aqua Admirabila was created — what we now call cologne water — which became a favorite of King Napoleon.

From Ancient Perfumes to Scent Marketing

Perfumery has followed an interesting path from its ancient origins to the present day. Today, modern technologies allow the creation of unique perfume scents. Moreover, ambient fragrances have become increasingly popular and appreciated, even being used by major brands that have created a new concept: scent marketing. This refers to a series of techniques used to attract customers through the use of specific perfumes associated with brands – because, yes, the sense of smell is constantly connected to our emotions.

The History of Ambient Scents

The idea of creating ambient scents to freshen various spaces belongs to Mark Peltier, an Air Force technician who, while in Muir Woods, noticed that the fresh scent of rain, ferns, and flowers induced a state of calm and relaxation. He wondered how he could translate that special natural fragrance into the interior of buildings. Four years later, the first ambient scent diffusion device was created, preceding the aroma diffusers we have today on the market.

However, we can consider that air fresheners were used even by ancient civilizations; for example, in Mesopotamia, burning incense to freshen spaces was a common practice among the inhabitants. They also burned mixtures of herbs during religious ceremonies to attract the gods.

Perfumes have been used since ancient times to inspire opulence, so it’s no surprise that the arrival of Queen Cleopatra from her naval journeys was announced by clouds of beautiful scents.

Let your senses be carried away by the unique fragrances in our collection and choose professional products from the range of diffusers and ambient perfumes at marketaroma.com!