The Fascinating Journey Through the History of Deodorant
The first deodorant made its debut during the rugged and untamed days of the Wild West—a time when personal hygiene wasn’t exactly a priority. Amid the chaos of the gold rush, an inventor came up with what he thought might be his own version of striking gold: a patented deodorant.
Maybe the invention was inspired by the gritty, unkempt miners who spent weeks without a proper wash. Or maybe the inventor himself was just tired of enduring the pungent smells of an era short on showers. Whatever his motivation, we may never know. Time has erased his name and story, leaving us only with the knowledge that his creation lived on through his company. This business endured for decades, surviving until the 1930s, when it was acquired by Bristol-Myers.
It wasn’t long before Bristol-Myers gave the deodorant a major makeover. In 1952, the company unveiled a revolutionary design—a roll-on dispenser inspired by the ballpoint pen. This innovative packaging idea came from Edward Gelsthorpe, a savvy marketing executive. The product was aptly named *Ban Roll-On*, and it quickly became a hit.
But the real game-changer wasn’t just the design—it was the formula. Back then, deodorants focused more on eliminating odor than on being gentle on the skin. That is, until Jules Montenier stepped in. He introduced a formula that not only battled unpleasant smells but also reduced skin irritation, addressing complaints of rashes and redness.
Fast forward to the 1960s, a decade of innovation and cultural shifts, and deodorants saw another major evolution: the aerosol spray. This new format, which let people apply deodorant with just the press of a button, seemed poised to wipe out the roll-on entirely. By the early 1970s, sprays dominated the market, with 82% of deodorant sales coming from aerosol products.
However, the aerosol boom didn’t last. Growing environmental concerns, along with government warnings about the harmful effects of aerosol chemicals on the ozone layer, caused sales to plummet in the late 1970s. This shift paved the way for the roll-on deodorant to regain its spot as the industry leader.
Today, the classic roll-on design, introduced in the 1950s, remains a top choice for consumers. Despite fierce competition over the decades, it has continued to hold its place as the best-selling deodorant, proving that sometimes, simplicity and practicality win the day.
