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writing so interesting that it makes me wish I was into perfume. I knew that historically perfumers took their job very seriously, but I was unaware that kind

by serf 4y ago

writing so interesting that it makes me wish I was into perfume. I knew that historically perfumers took their job very seriously, but I was unaware that kind of artisanal appreciation was still around; I thought it was mostly a corporate laboratory kind of thing now.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
Wistar 4y ago
You may enjoy the 2003 book, "The Emperor of Scent." The primary subject of the book, research scientist Luca Turin, theorizes that the human identification of scent is done through receptors that instantly identify the bonds — quantum vibrations — of a given molecule. Turin himself is an interesting character, and I thought the book a great read (at the time, anyway).
ovao 4y ago
There are both aspects in commercial perfumery, which makes it a pretty interesting industry. It’s true that there’s a definite laboratory slant when a fragrance needs to be validated and modified to meet regulatory standards for sale (which vary widely by region), and of course during mass production, but many big labels still tap independent perfumers who often work in pretty simple, bohemian digs, where a digital scale is about the most advanced gear in use. And there are legitimately thousands of independent perfumeries producing commercial fragrances at relatively small scale. Many perfumers are trained chemists, but it’s definitely not a prerequisite.
Dracophoenix 4y ago
You can always get started with BaseNotes and Fragranatica https://basenotes.com/ https://basenotes.com/ https://www.fragrantica.com/ https://www.fragrantica.com/
exmadscientist 4y ago
Honestly I read this less as the writing of a perfumer and more the writing of a master. This is just how people who know their subject intimately (and have some writing skill) communicate. It is somewhat rare, as often the people who are truly good at what they do would rather do it than write about it.
- borroka 4y ago
  From the book "The Excitement of Science", by Platt. "But the remarkable thing about it is that among men who really know something, the looks quickly cease to matter. I remember very clearly the dinner party where I first met L. L. Thurstone, the engineer who became a psychologist and developed the powerful statistical method called factor analysis. [...] within ten seconds after he began to talk, I could no longer see the face at all, for I was looking at a mind. The excitement of hearing his reasoning and his experience led the whole party out into an area of intellect where such trivia as looks and clothes, the room, the dinner, all faded into the background. I think we rose not knowing what we had eaten and had brandy afterwards up in the flow of the conversation. I suppose it was painful to our hostess that we did not notice much her careful preparations; but if I have forgotten her entrée, I have not forgotten her guest of honor."

by serf 4y ago

deleted 4y ago

[deleted]

Wistar 4y ago

You may enjoy the 2003 book, "The Emperor of Scent." The primary subject of the book, research scientist Luca Turin, theorizes that the human identification of scent is done through receptors that instantly identify the bonds — quantum vibrations — of a given molecule. Turin himself is an interesting character, and I thought the book a great read (at the time, anyway).

ovao 4y ago

There are both aspects in commercial perfumery, which makes it a pretty interesting industry. It’s true that there’s a definite laboratory slant when a fragrance needs to be validated and modified to meet regulatory standards for sale (which vary widely by region), and of course during mass production, but many big labels still tap independent perfumers who often work in pretty simple, bohemian digs, where a digital scale is about the most advanced gear in use. And there are legitimately thousands of independent perfumeries producing commercial fragrances at relatively small scale. Many perfumers are trained chemists, but it’s definitely not a prerequisite.

Dracophoenix 4y ago

You can always get started with BaseNotes and Fragranatica https://basenotes.com/ https://basenotes.com/ https://www.fragrantica.com/ https://www.fragrantica.com/

exmadscientist 4y ago

Honestly I read this less as the writing of a perfumer and more the writing of a master. This is just how people who know their subject intimately (and have some writing skill) communicate. It is somewhat rare, as often the people who are truly good at what they do would rather do it than write about it.

borroka 4y ago
From the book "The Excitement of Science", by Platt. "But the remarkable thing about it is that among men who really know something, the looks quickly cease to matter. I remember very clearly the dinner party where I first met L. L. Thurstone, the engineer who became a psychologist and developed the powerful statistical method called factor analysis. [...] within ten seconds after he began to talk, I could no longer see the face at all, for I was looking at a mind. The excitement of hearing his reasoning and his experience led the whole party out into an area of intellect where such trivia as looks and clothes, the room, the dinner, all faded into the background. I think we rose not knowing what we had eaten and had brandy afterwards up in the flow of the conversation. I suppose it was painful to our hostess that we did not notice much her careful preparations; but if I have forgotten her entrée, I have not forgotten her guest of honor."