For over a century, the idea of integrating scents into cinema has been one of the industry’s most ambitious goals. Long before sound or color transformed the movie-going experience, filmmakers and inventors were experimenting with ways to engage the audience’s sense of smell. Despite numerous attempts, early efforts failed to captivate audiences—or even satisfy their creators.
Today, however, the concept of theatre perfume is no longer a dream. Thanks to innovations like Olorama Digital Smell Technology, the integration of scents into films has reached new heights. But to appreciate how far we’ve come, let’s take a journey through the fascinating history of cinema scents.
The beginnings of smell in theatres
The cotton balls (1916)
The first recorded attempt to bring smells to the big screen was in 1916 at the Family Theater in Forest City, Pennsylvania. Owner Roxy Rothafel introduced an innovative yet simple idea: giant cotton balls soaked in rose perfume were hung near ceiling fans to spread the fragrance during a film about the Tournament of Roses parade. While this added a touch of elegance, it wasn’t enough to become a widespread practice.
The scented rooms (1929)
In 1929, cinemas in New York and Boston tested a new method: perfuming entire theatres through ceiling vents. Movies like The Broadway Melody and Lilac Time were screened with a single fragrance filling the room. However, this approach fell flat as the audience’s sense of smell quickly adapted, rendering the scent irrelevant.
Early attempts at synchronizing scents
Compressed air systems (1943)
In 1943, a Detroit cinema made a significant attempt to synchronize scents with on-screen scenes. Using compressed air, different smells were pumped into air conditioning ducts during specific moments of The Sea Hawk and Boom Town. For example, smells of tar and sea breeze recreated the atmosphere of a ship, while characters in Boom Town were matched with scents like coffee or tobacco.
Unfortunately, this system had several flaws: lingering scents mixed together, creating unpleasant combinations, and the overall effect was more distracting than immersive.
AromaRama (1959)
Walter Reade Jr. introduced AromaRama in 1959, which synchronized scents with films using a built-in timing system. Its debut documentary, Behind the Great Wall, showcased this innovation. Despite its potential, viewers found the scents artificial and intrusive. One critic famously quipped:
“When a pine forest appeared, it smelled more like underground toilets on cleaning day.”
Scentovision and Smell-o-Vision (1939)
Swiss inventor Hans Laube unveiled Scentovision at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. This system released scents through tubes installed in theatre seats, controlled by an operator using a keyboard. Filmmakers Michael Todd and his son later adapted it into Smell-o-Vision, debuting with Scent of Mystery.
However, high installation costs, noisy equipment, and the unintended splashing of audience members doomed this invention. Critics from The New York Times suggested it would’ve been better to use laughing gas to improve the experience.
The rise of scratch-and-sniff
Odorama (1982)
In 1982, John Waters revived interest in scented cinema with Polyester. Instead of complex systems, Waters distributed Odorama cards to viewers, who scratched specific boxes when prompted on-screen. This low-tech solution was effective and later used in children’s films like Rugrats Go Wild and Spy Kids 4D.
Portable devices: From sniffman to Olorama
The sniffman necklace
In the early 2000s, German inventor Stefan Reutz introduced the Sniffman, a portable device worn around the neck that emitted scents triggered by radio signals. While innovative, its high costs and potential discomfort prevented widespread adoption.
Olorama (2013)
In 2013, Spanish engineer Raúl Porcar revolutionized the industry with Olorama Digital Smell Technology. This cutting-edge system uses essential oils, software, and Wi-Fi synchronization to deliver up to 12 scents per film or VR experience.
What sets Olorama apart?
- Precise Duration: Scents last only as long as needed, avoiding overlap.
- Scalability: The system works in settings from large theatres to home setups.
- Realism: Unlike earlier methods, Olorama’s scents align seamlessly with on-screen action, creating a fully immersive experience.
Olorama has finally made theatre perfume a practical and engaging reality, enhancing movies, virtual reality, and other audiovisual media.
The journey of theatre perfume has been long and winding, marked by quirky inventions and bold experiments. From cotton balls and compressed air to modern digital systems, the dream of incorporating scents into cinema has come a long way.
Today, thanks to technologies like Olorama, audiences can experience the magic of immersive smells that match the sights and sounds on screen. Whether it’s the scent of roses in a romantic scene or the salty sea air of a pirate adventure, the future of scented cinema promises to engage all our senses like never before.
Request more info about Olorama today and step into the future of immersive entertainment.
