Perfume

The use of scent reaches far back into prehistory, when people burned the simple, natural fragrances of plants and flowers to gratify the gods. Now, perfume has become a global industry, but it still brings pleasure to the user and to others who catch a whiff of its enchanting bouquet. From essential oils to aerosols, from jasmine, lavender, and tuberose to Chanel No. 5 and L'Air du Temps, take a look at the art and science of perfume-making through time. Featuring milestones in the annals of fine fragrance, and elegant color photographs, here are the world-famous perfume houses; the famous firsts, such as Guerlain's celebrated 19th-century scent, Jicky; the unforgettable advertisements (often with glamorous stars), and the beautifully designed flacons–including one by Surrealist artist Salvador Dali.