#14 - Middle Ages, stench & perfume – how people really smelled in the past
What did people really smell like in the past? And was the Middle Ages actually as unhygienic as we imagine it to be today?
In this episode of Scent Marketing Talk, Kessi and Jens embark on an olfactory journey through human history – from prehistoric times to modern perfumery. They explore the role of the nose as a survival tool, the fragrance cultures of ancient Egypt, incense, rose oil, and the first perfumes of antiquity.
But things get particularly fascinating in the Middle Ages and Baroque period: the lack of sewage systems, overcrowded cities, heavy clouds of perfume, and the bizarre belief that water could make you sick. Why was perfume used more for camouflage than for pleasure back then? And how has our relationship with smell changed since then?
The two also discuss the origins of modern perfumes, the development of synthetic fragrances, and how AI is now even being used in fragrance development.
An episode that blends history, science, stench, and fascinating olfactory worlds.
#14 - Middle Ages, stench & perfume – how people really smelled in the past
What did people really smell like in the past? And was the Middle Ages actually as unhygienic as we imagine it to be today?
In this episode of Scent Marketing Talk, Kessi and Jens embark on an olfactory journey through human history – from prehistoric times to modern perfumery. They explore the role of the nose as a survival tool, the fragrance cultures of ancient Egypt, incense, rose oil, and the first perfumes of antiquity.
But things get particularly fascinating in the Middle Ages and Baroque period: the lack of sewage systems, overcrowded cities, heavy clouds of perfume, and the bizarre belief that water could make you sick. Why was perfume used more for camouflage than for pleasure back then? And how has our relationship with smell changed since then?
The two also discuss the origins of modern perfumes, the development of synthetic fragrances, and how AI is now even being used in fragrance development.
An episode that blends history, science, stench, and fascinating olfactory worlds.
Scent Marketing Talk - Timestamps
Marilyn Monroe: I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I'm uncontrolled, and sometimes hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best either.
Unknown: Imperfection is beauty. Madness is genius. And it's better to be utterly ridiculous than utterly boring.
00:00 – Introduction & Scent Through the Ages
01:52 – Prehistoric Times: The Nose as a Survival Tool
08:53 – Antiquity: Scent, Gods & Status Symbols
12:09 – Middle Ages: Markets, Stink & Everyday Life
26:40 – Baroque Period: Perfume Instead of Hygiene
38:43 – Modern Perfumery & Synthetic Fragrances
51:01 – AI, the Future of Fragrances & Conclusion
Questions or feedback?
Feel free to write to us at: podcast@duftmarketing.de