Interactive Timeline
Journey through 5,000 years of perfume history, from ancient Egyptian temples to modern chemistry labs. Each milestone shaped how we create, wear, and understand fragrance today.
3000 BCE
First Recorded Perfumes
Egyptians begin using aromatic oils and incense in religious ceremonies and daily life.
3000 BCE
First Recorded Perfumes
Egyptians begin using aromatic oils and incense in religious ceremonies and daily life.
2000 BCE
Kyphi Perfection
Complex 16-ingredient incense blend becomes standard in Egyptian temples.
2000 BCE
Kyphi Perfection
Complex 16-ingredient incense blend becomes standard in Egyptian temples.
1200 BCE
Greek Perfume Culture
Greeks develop sophisticated perfume application techniques for symposiums and athletics.
1200 BCE
Greek Perfume Culture
Greeks develop sophisticated perfume application techniques for symposiums and athletics.
100 CE
Roman Bath Culture
Romans popularize scented oils in public baths, democratizing fragrance use.
100 CE
Roman Bath Culture
Romans popularize scented oils in public baths, democratizing fragrance use.
800 CE
Distillation Revolution
Islamic scholars perfect distillation, creating the first true liquid perfumes.
800 CE
Distillation Revolution
Islamic scholars perfect distillation, creating the first true liquid perfumes.
1370
Hungary Water
First alcohol-based perfume created, marking the beginning of modern perfumery.
1370
Hungary Water
First alcohol-based perfume created, marking the beginning of modern perfumery.
1608
Grasse Established
Grasse becomes the perfume capital, specializing in flower cultivation and extraction.
1608
Grasse Established
Grasse becomes the perfume capital, specializing in flower cultivation and extraction.
1709
Eau de Cologne
Johann Maria Farina creates the first eau de cologne, revolutionizing fresh fragrances.
1709
Eau de Cologne
Johann Maria Farina creates the first eau de cologne, revolutionizing fresh fragrances.
1882
Fougère Royale
First fragrance to use synthetic coumarin, launching the modern perfume industry.
1882
Fougère Royale
First fragrance to use synthetic coumarin, launching the modern perfume industry.
1921
Chanel No. 5
Ernest Beaux creates the most famous perfume in history using aldehydes.
1921
Chanel No. 5
Ernest Beaux creates the most famous perfume in history using aldehydes.
Explore Each Era in Detail
This timeline provides an overview of perfume history's major milestones. Dive deeper into each era to discover the full stories behind these transformative moments.
Explore Historical Eras