FOLLOW YOUR NOSE: ENGINEERING IN PERFUMES
INTRODUCTION
The everyday routine for most women might be something like this: style your hair, brush your teeth, pick an outfit, and spritz a fragrance on your skin, the last of which happens quickly and without a second thought. However, for some scientists and engineers, perfume-making requires a more careful analysis. Perfumery, once thought of as an art, has been transformed into a scientific process in which natural scents are broken down into constituents and replicated with synthesized materials. Many in the perfume industry benefit from the engineering that makes it possible to replace regulated ingredients and to scientifically determine a fragrance’s quality. But others decry the ease with which companies can now make knock-offs and the death of what was once considered a secret art. The introduction of engineering into perfume-making has permeated nearly every aspect of the industry and will likely continue to change the character of fragrances for years to come.
