when was deodorant invented

The first commercial deodorant was invented and introduced in 1888. It was called "Mum" and came in a paste form that you applied to your underarms. This early deodorant was created by Edna Murphey (or an unknown inventor in Philadelphia), and it worked by killing the bacteria that caused odor. The product was formulated with ingredients like zinc oxide and was considered groundbreaking at the time. Before deodorant, ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Greeks used scented oils, spices, and minerals to mask odors, but these methods were not as effective or convenient. Antiperspirants, which reduce sweating in addition to controlling odor, came later, with the first product called Everdry introduced in 1903. It used aluminum chloride to temporarily block sweat glands. So, deodorant as we know it today dates back to 1888 with the launch of Mum, while antiperspirants appeared in the early 1900s.