The Scent of History: Inside the Library of Smells

Sissel Tolaas is many things: an artist, a scientist and—perhaps most importantly—a smell expert. She has dedicated much of her life to capturing and recreating smells from objects, places, events, and even broad historical periods. Using hundreds of chemical compounds to bring smells back to life, Tolaas has amassed a library of thousands of smells over her lifetime to both educate and challenge how we perceive the documentation of our experiences on this planet.

This story is a part of our Human Condition series. Come along and let us connect you to some of the most peculiar, stirring, extraordinary, and distinctive people in the world.

[Dyarania]

I just stumble upon great big story, and this is so much better than insider or whatsoever

[layoverbear]

I would *love* to visit her lab... the sense of smell can tak you places!

[loicustodio]

wow.. i love fragrances!! im a perfume collector and i wish i become a chemist or nose like the first ever chemist in hystory TAPPUTI!!!

[injupy]

i love these library collection videos! like the pigment library

[asj]

Wonder if she has to replace them as they denature or if they have a long enough shelf life,

[grinningdarling]

Imagine using the smell of concentration camps, thick with hormones produced by fear, and the smell of blood, while watching a 3D documentary with 4D audio to recreate the terror resulted from non tollerance

[kino]

Imagine her cooking with spices <3 foodgasm

[Whythough]

unfortunately I couldn't ever do that

[bushdidjetfuelcantmelts]

Is there a smell for Chicago during the Industrial Revolution?

[ssseltzer]

Please tell me this woman has reproduced the smell of books. Ranging from old musty yellowed books to fresh newly printed ones. I would pay money for a a book candle.

[impralx]

i guess flu is the worst sickness for this woman