When was deodorant first used?

Hello, I'm an expert in the field of personal care products with a particular interest in the history of deodorants. Let's delve into the history of deodorant use.

The concept of deodorant as we know it today, which is a product designed to prevent or reduce body odor, has its roots in various ancient practices. However, the modern commercial deodorant was first introduced in the early 20th century.

The first commercial deodorant was called Mum, and it was introduced by an American company in 1888. This product was a cream that was applied with the fingers. It was initially marketed as a antiperspirant, which reduces sweating, but it also had deodorizing properties.

The modern roll-on deodorant, which is a solid stick that is applied by rubbing it on the skin, was developed in the 1920s. This was a significant innovation because it made the application of deodorant much more convenient and less messy.

In the 1950s, the aerosol spray deodorant was introduced. This type of deodorant was popular for many years due to its ease of use and quick drying formula.

So, to summarize, while the use of substances to reduce body odor dates back to ancient times, the first commercial deodorant product was introduced in 1888.

In the 1910s deodorants and antiperspirants were relatively new inventions. The first deodorant, which kills odor-producing bacteria, was called Mum and had been trademarked in 1888, while the first antiperspirant, which thwarts both sweat-production and bacterial growth, was called Everdry and launched in 1903.