OVR Technology Explores History of Scent in Media

OVR Technology is preparing to release new technology aimed at reintroducing scent into digital experiences. The company plans to reveal this transformative solution for storytellers and consumers soon.

In anticipation of its launch, OVR Technology is exploring the historical attempts to integrate olfactory elements into media. While sight, sound, and touch have long been part of media, the addition of scent has remained a significant technical challenge, marked by numerous ambitious endeavors.

The earliest recorded attempts date back to the early 1900s. In 1906, theater owner Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel used a fan to disseminate rose oil aroma during a film screening. A key challenge identified early on was not just delivering scents, but also effectively dissipating them, as lingering odors competed and became overwhelming.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the film industry saw more ambitious scent experiments. Smell-O-Vision, introduced in the 1960 film Scent of Mystery, aimed to release 30 distinct olfactory elements at precise moments. However, the system was noisy and scent delivery was inconsistent. AromaRama attempted to use theater air conditioning systems to release up to 72 fragrances, but audiences often found the scents unrealistic and distracting.

Later, during the 1970s and 1980s, a simpler approach emerged with 3M's Scratch 'n' Sniff technology. This method used microencapsulation to release fragrances when surfaces were scratched. It was featured in films like Polyester and popularized by MTV, offering a more lighthearted way to engage with scent in media.