# Cecil: Scratch & sniff incorrect attribution **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [October 4, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-scratch-sniff-incorrect-attribution/324783 "2005-10-04T20:56:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tarheels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@tarheels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarheels)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-scratch-sniff-incorrect-attribution/324783/1 "2005-10-04T20:56:56Z")
Cecil, I’m almost certain that, regardless of who owns the patent today, it was NCR Corporation that invented both carbonless paper and the subsequent technological breakthrough, the Scratch & Sniff. Dayton Resident ---
**Author:** ![Danalan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@Danalan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danalan)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-scratch-sniff-incorrect-attribution/324783/2 "2005-10-04T21:07:01Z")
**tarheels** , welcome to the boards. On what, other than your near certainty, do you base your deduction? It is customary to present some sort of citation, proofs, or line of reasoning when making such a statement. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-scratch-sniff-incorrect-attribution/324783/3 "2005-10-04T22:24:03Z")
The column in question is [How do “scratch-‘n’-sniff” cards work?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_246.html) ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2005, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-scratch-sniff-incorrect-attribution/324783/4 "2005-10-05T03:35:41Z")
A Google search turned up only one useful hit, but it’s a doozy (and may crash Windows): [2003 IFTF Food Expo](http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:UCG8kwYr5xQJ:www.salvona.com/sal_publications/Food/The%2520IFT%2520Food%2520Expo%2520-%2520Highlights%2520-%2520Preview%2520-%2520Processing.pdf+%22scratch+n+sniff%22+%22invented+by%22+NCR&hl=en) > [@](#): > > R. J. Versic, Ronald T. Dodge Co., will describe how Barrett Green at the National Cash Register Co. (now NCRCo.) invented microencapsulation by coacervation in the 1950s. This method of obtaining controlled delivery was originally used for carbonless paper, No Paper Required ™, and Scratch ‘n’ Sniff fragrance samplers. Early use ofgelatin-walled coacervation in food applications was hampered by the use of gluteraldehyde (glutaric dialdehyde) asa cross-linking agent and the perception that coacervative microencapsulation was too expensive. Recent technical and commercial developments have now made coacervation a viable form of controlled delivery in food applications. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2005, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-scratch-sniff-incorrect-attribution/324783/5 "2005-10-05T03:39:49Z")
Searching for 3M rather than NCR does yield a couple of hits - but they reference back to the Dope. Oops. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecil-scratch-sniff-incorrect-attribution/324783/6 "2005-10-05T19:53:20Z")
With reference to Cecil’s comment on foul reeks, our gas company periodically includes a scratch ‘n’ sniff card with the gas bill. Scratching it and sniffing familiarises the homeowner and his family with the smell of natural gas so that they can recognize it if there is a gas leak and can get out before the coming big boom. What does natural gas smell like, you ask? Well, on its own it’s pretty much odourless, so the gas company helpfully adds mercaptins to create a noticable odour. What are mercaptins, you ask again? Well, they’re the chemical compounds which give skunk spray its delightful fresh spring scent. Scratching and sniffing one of these cards is a whole different experience from the usual perfume samples! 😃