Smell Like the Egyptians? The History Behind Deodorant

Deodorant has been around for a long time, my friend. The ancient Egyptians used to mix spices and oils to mask their body odor. They even used to rub a mixture of sandalwood and frankincense under their armpits to keep the stink at bay. Cleopatra herself was known to use a mixture of milk and honey to keep her underarms smelling sweet.
Fast forward to the 19th century, and things started to get a little more scientific. In 1888, an inventor named Edna Murphey created a product called "Mum" that was the first commercially available deodorant. It was a paste made of zinc oxide and baking soda that was applied to the underarms with a finger.
But it wasn't until the 1940s that deodorant really took off. During World War II, soldiers were given deodorant as part of their standard issue kit. When they returned home, they continued to use it, and the demand for deodorant skyrocketed.
Since then, deodorant has come a long way. There are now all kinds of different types, from roll-ons to sprays to gels. Some are scented, some are unscented, and some even claim to be "natural."
So there you have it, folks. The history of deodorant. Who knew something as simple as keeping our armpits smelling fresh could have such a fascinating backstory?
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