The Evolution of Musk - Part 1

About this episode

Karen introduces the history and evolution of musk in perfumery.

This week, Karen is introducing the first in a two-part series on musk. Musk started life as one of the most prestigious materials in the world of perfumery and was often associated with nobility and power. However, over the years, it has constantly evolved and, today, is seen as one of the most common and well-known materials in all of perfumery. In this episode, Karen takes you on a journey from the beginnings of musk to its place in the modern-day world and how it has shaped both perfumery and culture over hundreds of years. KEY TAKEAWAYS Musk has a long and fascinating history. Karen takes us through it from its origins in central Asia to its everyday use today. Historically, musk was sourced from the glands of male deer; however, as the species became endangered, the material could no longer be sourced from the animal. In 1888, Albert Baur made a discovery that changed musk forever. In the 1970s, a number of fragrances entered the market that changed musk to a much more accessible product. Karen explains how and why. By the late 1980s, musk was mainstream, in large part due to the Body Shop’s ‘White Musk’. Karen breaks down how this shift affected the perfume industry and…

People in this episode

Host: Karen Gilbert

Topics covered

• musk history
• perfumery evolution
• cultural significance
• synthetic materials
• fragrance industry

Keywords

• musk
• perfumery
• scent evolution
• synthetic musk
• fragrance history

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Body Shop

Places: central Asia

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