Katrina Rosales
Elon Musk's Boring Company launched a $100 perfume called Burnt Hair in October. The scent has been described as the essence of repugnant desire, and like leaning over a candle at the dinner table. Musk's team also claims that the fragrance conjures feelings of repugnant desire. While some people disliked the scent, others described it as airy and cotton fresh, even sensing notes of sandalwood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Creator | Elon Musk |
| Company | The Boring Company |
| Cost | $100 |
| Scent | Charcoal, singed flesh, barbecue, burnt hair |
| Description | "The essence of repugnant desire" |
| Shipment | Q1 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Why does burnt hair smell bad?
Burning hair produces a bad stench due to the decay and release of fumes from the protein keratin, which hair is composed of. When hair is burnt, the disulfide linkages in keratin break, allowing sulfur atoms to combine with other elements such as oxygen and hydrogen. The resulting volatile sulfur compounds are responsible for the unpleasant odor associated with burnt hair. Additionally, the presence of ammonia, a byproduct of amino acids, can contribute to the foul smell.
The distinctive and strong smell of burning hair may also be evolutionarily ingrained in our collective subconsciousness. We have evolved to associate this smell with undesirable or dangerous situations, triggering an avoidance response.
While the smell of burnt hair is generally considered unpleasant, it has recently gained attention in the fragrance industry. Elon Musk, known for his trolling and entrepreneurial ventures, launched a $100 perfume called "Burnt Hair." The scent is described as "the essence of repugnant desire," and Musk claims to have sold thousands of bottles. However, specific notes and accords of the fragrance are not listed, leaving the exact smell a mystery until it ships in early 2023.
The concept of emulating "bad" smells in perfumes is not new, with companies like Demeter offering fragrances resembling Play-Doh, stables, and turpentine. It remains to be seen whether Musk's "Burnt Hair" perfume will appeal to consumers beyond its novelty and controversial reputation.
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What does Elon Musk's 'Burnt Hair' perfume smell like?
Elon Musk's $100 "Burnt Hair" perfume has been described in various ways. On the product website, it is described as "the essence of repugnant desire". The website also says that it smells like "leaning over a candle at the dinner table, but without all the hard work".
Some reviews of the scent say it smells like cigarettes, with one person saying it reminded them of "a room where the previous night saw a lot of cigar and cigarette smoking". Another review says it smells like "a burnt bag of microwave popcorn".
One person who sniffed the perfume straight from the bottle concluded that it "smelled better than most perfumes". They said:
> "I don't like it, but I like it a lot more than most perfumes. It's not super alcohol-forward, I don't really like most colognes or perfumes because they're so alcohol-y."
Another review says the scent embodies "20-something regret" and "bad decisions".
Based on the reviews and tweets, the perfume seems to smell like a combination of charcoal, singed flesh, and barbecue.
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What chemicals are released when burning hair?
Burning hair emits a distinct and unpleasant odor that is often described as acrid, pungent, and sulfurous. The underlying characteristic of this smell is a sharp, harsh scent that most people find repulsive. This odor is caused by the release and vaporization of sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, into the air. These compounds have strong, unpleasant odors that contribute to the overall stench of burning hair. The burning of organic material, including carbon-based keratin, also creates a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that amplify the unpleasantness of the scent.
The chemical composition of hair is approximately 45% carbon, 28% oxygen, 15% nitrogen, 7% hydrogen, and 5% sulfur. When hair burns, these elements combine with oxygen in the air to form various oxides. However, in reality, a range of other pyrolysis compounds are also released during the combustion process.
The scent of burning hair is so distinctive that it has even inspired a perfume called "Burnt Hair" by Elon Musk. The fragrance, priced at $100, is described as "the essence of repugnant desire." While some people have mocked the idea of a burnt hair perfume, others have expressed curiosity. Reviews on the perfume's website describe the scent as "just like leaning over a candle at the dinner table, but without all the hard work," and "Stand out in a crowd! Get noticed as you walk through the airport."
It is worth noting that the smell of burning hair can also be a warning sign of potential danger. Our bodies are wired to recognize and react negatively to certain smells, and the acrid, sulfurous odor of burning hair can alert us to investigate and address potential hazards.
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Why does the smell of burning hair vary from person to person?
The smell of burning hair is often described as unpleasant, with some people even comparing it to the scent of burning rubber or smoke. However, the perception of this smell can vary from person to person due to several factors. One factor is individual differences in olfactory senses, with some people having a more sensitive sense of smell than others. Additionally, certain health conditions, such as Covid infection, sinus infections, and neurological disorders, can also impact the way we perceive smells, leading to distorted or phantom odours known as parosmia and phantosmia, respectively. In some cases, these disorders can cause people to perceive unpleasant odours, such as burning hair, differently or not at all.
Another factor that contributes to the variation in the perception of burning hair is the presence of other scents or odours in the environment. Our sense of smell is highly sensitive and can detect a wide range of chemicals in the air. When multiple odours are present, they can interact with each other, creating a different overall perception. For example, the scent of burning hair in a barbecue context might be perceived as more pleasant due to the association with grilled meat. Cultural and personal associations with certain smells can also influence how we perceive them. Some people may find the smell of burning hair comforting or intriguing, perhaps due to positive associations with activities like candle-making or cooking.
The intensity and duration of the burning hair smell can also play a role in how it is perceived. A faint or brief whiff of burning hair might be less offensive to some people, while a strong or prolonged exposure to the smell could be more likely to elicit a negative response. Individual differences in sensitivity to specific odours can also impact this perception. Additionally, the context in which the smell of burning hair is encountered can significantly influence its perception. For example, if the smell is associated with a dangerous situation, such as a fire, it might be perceived as more alarming or unpleasant. On the other hand, if it is encountered in a controlled setting, such as a chemistry lab or a hair salon, it might be tolerated or even ignored.
Lastly, individual differences in brain processing and interpretation of smells can also contribute to the variation in the perception of burning hair. The way our brains interpret olfactory signals can be influenced by genetic factors, previous experiences, and psychological factors such as expectations and emotions. For example, some people might find the smell of burning hair intriguing or exciting, especially if they have a fascination with unusual or taboo scents. On the other hand, others might find it repulsive or disturbing due to negative associations or personal preferences.
While the smell of burning hair is generally considered unpleasant, the variation in its perception from person to person is influenced by a combination of biological, environmental, and psychological factors. These factors shape how we sense, interpret, and respond to odours, leading to a diverse range of experiences and opinions about the same scent.
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What are some other examples of bad smells due to sulfur-containing compounds?
Elon Musk's perfume, Burnt Hair, is described as "the essence of repugnant desire". Based on reviews and tweets, the fragrance seems to smell like a combination of charcoal, singed flesh, and barbecue.
Now, moving on to your question about bad smells due to sulfur-containing compounds, here are some examples:
Sulfur is often considered the king of bad smells, especially in the form of thiols, which are compounds with a sulfur bonded to a hydrogen atom. Thiols are responsible for the unpleasant odors associated with skunk spray and flatulence. Hydrogen sulfide, for example, has an awful smell, and its cousins, hydrogen selenide and hydrogen telluride, smell even worse.
Ethanethiol is another example of a sulfur compound with a strong and unpleasant odor. It is described as the prototype Sulfur Smell, similar to what you might experience if someone tried to put out a burning tractor tire with dead skunks.
Sulfur compounds are often associated with rotten food, dangerous vapors, and potentially harmful substances. Our sensitivity to these compounds has likely evolved as a way to avoid toxic or poisonous substances.
While some sulfur-containing compounds smell bad, it's worth noting that thiols also contribute to more pleasant aromas like grapefruit and coffee.
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Frequently asked questions
Musk's company describes the scent as "the essence of repugnant desire", though it is also supposed to recreate the smell of a candle on the dinner table.
Most people didn't take to the smell, but a small contingent of staffers liked it. One person described the smell as "airy" and "cotton fresh" with notes of "sandalwood". Another said it smelled like "someone who'd been at a campfire and working on a farm or something. Like a burly country man".
The burning of hair releases toxic gases such as ammonia, carbonyl sulphides, hydrogen sulphides, sulphur dioxide, phenols, nitriles, pyrroles, and pyridines. The breaking of disulphide bridges in keratin is largely responsible for the bad smell.
It smells bad so that you will notice when your hair is burning.
Rotten eggs, which contain a volatile sulphur compound called hydrogen sulfide, and tert-butylthiol, which is used to impart the characteristic smell of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
