November/December 2008 Issue

Dollars and Scents

A breezy history of the air freshener.

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1930s

Lysol is America’s most popular contraceptive. Really.

1952

Little Trees first hung on rearview mirrors.

1956

Glade introduces the air freshener spray can.

1974

Glade solid scent sticks hit shelves.

1989

Plug-in air fresheners exude ambience 24-7.

1994

Man sprays Prince Charles with a can of air freshener.

1997

US air freshener sales reach $239 million.

2002

Renuzit unveils the Super Odor Neutralizer.

2004

Air Wick releases Relaxation and Revitalization scents. Febreeze launches Scentstories “scent-themed” discs. Sample: Exploring a Mountain Trail.

2006

Glade presents the Scented Oil Light Show—designed for girls 8 to 12.

2007

Enviro group finds hormone-disrupting chemicals in “all-natural” air fresheners, asks epa for further testing. SC Johnson sues Dial for stealing its three-scents-in-one idea.

2008

US air freshener market hits $2.3 billion—not including scented candles.

Related article: Germ Warfare

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Our team has been on fire lately—publishing sweeping, one-of-a-kind investigations, ambitious, groundbreaking projects, and even releasing “the holy shit documentary of the year.” And that’s on top of protecting free and fair elections and standing up to bullies and BS when others in the media don’t.

Yet, we just came up pretty short on our first big fundraising campaign since Mother Jones and the Center for Investigative Reporting joined forces.

So, two things:

1) If you value the journalism we do but haven’t pitched in over the last few months, please consider doing so now—we urgently need a lot of help to make up for lost ground.

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