A brief history of Aerosols, from early self
pressurised carbonated
beverages, to today's efficient aerosol dispenser.
| DATE | LANDMARK EVENT |
|---|---|
| 1790 | Self pressurised carbonated beverages introduced in France. |
| 1825 | Charlie Plinth introduced the Regency portable fountain, a device to dispense carbonated beverages using the gas (carbon dioxide) pressure. |
| 1837 | An early soda siphon incorporating a valve was invented by Perpigna. |
| 1899 | Helbling & Pertsch patented aerosols pressurised using methyl and ethyl chloride as propellant. |
| 1929 | Erik Rotheim (Norway) invented early aerosol cans and valves that would hold and dispense a variety of product and propellant systems. These were the forerunner of the modern aerosol and valve. |
| 1933 | Early aerosol fire extinguishers were developed for use in motor cars, by Midgely (General Motors). |
| 1942 | Goodhue & Sullivan developed the first aerosol insecticides, and these were used by US soldiers in World War 2. |
| 1945 | Throw away cans & valves developed. |
| 1947 | Aerosol contract filling begins in the USA. |
| 1949 | First automated filling lines introduced into the UK. |
| 1950 | Rapid growth of the aerosol industry begins in the UK, expanding from only a few thousands of cans per year, to in excess of 1.5 billion in 1997. |
| 1974 | This year saw the publication of the 'Ozone Depletion Theory', put forward by two American scientists, Rowland and Molina. The theory said that chlorine containing chemicals, stable in the lower atmosphere, would break down in the stratosphere under the influence of ultra violet light, and act as catalysts in the destruction of ozone. At this time chlorine containing propellants (CFCs) were used in many, but not all, aerosol products. |
| 1975 | Publication of the EEC Aerosol Directive. This Directive is of major importance to the aerosol industry in Europe, and sets out the requirements for construction, performance, testing, filling and labelling of metal, plastic and glass aerosol containers. |
| 1985 | Discovery that the ozone layer above the Antarctic was thinning, confirming the theory put forward by Rowland and Molina. |
| 1987 | 70 nations sign the 'Montreal Protocol'. This agreement set target dates for significant reductions in the use of CFCs. The protocol was revised in 1990, in order to phase out the use of CFCs by the year 2000. CFC propellants are now only used in certain 'exempt' products. |
| 1994 | Revision of the EEC Aerosol Directive, concerning the flammability labelling of aerosols. |
| 1997 | New BAMA recommendation of July 1997 for the labelling of all UK aerosols, concerning solvent abuse. See Aerosol Safety page. |
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Last revision : 1 January, 2007