Blog 1: "Smells Like Teen Sprit"

Prompt 1:

I believe something we can all agree on, is that we should all make the effort to smell GOOD. An example of a product we all hopefully use to smell delightful is deodorant. As a younger child, my brother used to apply deodorant specifically made for women, for the reason being that is smelled 'really good." The deodorant was called "Teen Spirit," which was also the first deodorant I have ever worn. However, as he are older, my dad would make fun of him, and my brother eventually grew out of using it. After being made fun of by other people, he eventually began using men's deodorant. 

The concept of having a manly or feminine scent does not only apply to deodorant, but other items such as perfume, cologne, or any other type of fragrance. Although I know there is a biological aspect to scent, I hope to analyze the products that give off the appearance that men and women should smell a certain way. With that being said, though the cultural artifact I specifically chose to analyze is deodorant, all of what I am saying applies to any item that gives off a gendered scent.

Prompt 2:

The cultural artifact is... the "Teen Spirit Stick" Antiperspirant Deodorant.

The creators/producers:

• The concept of deodorant..
• came from Egyptians, who would apply scented oils into their forearm to cover up bad smells.
• The modern deodorant..
• created by an unknown Philadelphia inventor in 1888.
• "The first deodorant was MUM invented in 1888, and was a cream that was applied using fingertips, the manufacturers of MUM also invented the roll-on applicator."
• The "Teen Spirit Stick"
• originally introduced in 1991 by the Mennen Company (1991-1992)
• Currently owned by Colgate-Palmolive

The receivers (audience) were specifically made for women, typically teenage girls.

The social world at the time, around the 90's, can easily be described as a simpler time. Some people describe it as a transformational period that is both safe and soft, although it may not have felt like it at the time. The 90s was a time considered to be better, brighter, and much more colorful. This was also an era where women became alive in the media, where the young ladies felt empowered through girl-power anthems. 

Prompt 3:

At first glance, the deodorant's packaging already brings a feeling of nostalgia. The bright colors and fun fonts, as well as the clipart conveys the time of the 90s, a time of pop culture. The "Teen Spirit Stick" came in many different scents, which were later on discontinued. The two scents that remain are Pink Crush and Sweet Strawberry. Not only have commercials emphasized that this deodorant is meant for girls, the packaging itself includes words such as "cute and girly," highlighting "lady speed stick," and includes pictures that are meant to represent teenage girls by using hearts, xoxo, and various clipart of pink lips. Though we do live in an era where we are challenging traditional gender roles, there are still items such as this particular deodorant who still believe women are the only ones who can smell sweet and floraly. 

Link: Commercial for "Teen Spirit"

References:

• https://crystalspring.co.uk/blogs/under-our-skin/a-brief-history-of-deodorants
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Spirit_(deodorant)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QLUrYi3RLo