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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WE'LL BE BLUNT

It is astonishingly hard keeping a newsroom afloat these days, and we need to raise $253,000 in online donations quickly, by October 7.

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Readers also told us to just give it to you straight when we need to ask for your support, and seeing how matter-of-factly explaining our inner workings, our challenges and finances, can bring more of you in has been a real silver lining. So our online membership lead, Brian, lays it all out for you in his personal, insider account (that literally puts his skin in the game!) of how urgent things are right now.

The upshot: Being able to rally $253,000 in donations over these next few weeks is vitally important simply because it is the number that keeps us right on track, helping make sure we don't end up with a bigger gap than can be filled again, helping us avoid any significant (and knowable) cash-flow crunches for now. We used to be more nonchalant about coming up short this time of year, thinking we can make it by the time June rolls around. Not anymore.

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