Now I'm definitely not a big chemistry enthusiast (I do love me some Breaking Bad, though), but a recent tweet by the New York Public Library (@nypl) caught my eye:
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Out of all the senses, scent has always been the one I enjoy the most. The musty aroma of a good, old book will always be one of my favorite scents, but I never really stopped to think about what makes it smell that way. Turns out the folks at Compound Interest did some science stuff and figured it out for me, fancy infographic and all!
Infographic via Compound Interest / http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/06/01/newoldbooksmell/
According to Compound Interest, the smell of new books is mostly caused by three main sources: the paper, ink and adhesives used to make a book. Alternative combinations of these mediums result in different variations of "New Books Smell."
The aroma of old books, on the other hand, is derived from the chemical breakdown of compounds within the paper. Among other chemicals, paper in old books generally contain cellulose and small amounts of lingin – more than that found in modern books. It's the degradation of these chemicals that contribute to the smell we all know too well.
Can't get enough of that bookish scent? Check out this Smell of Books aerosol spray (Classic Musty Smell sounds right up my alley) and Paper Passion perfume!
This post may or may not add a more literal meaning to the phrase "Go stick your nose in book."
The aroma of old books, on the other hand, is derived from the chemical breakdown of compounds within the paper. Among other chemicals, paper in old books generally contain cellulose and small amounts of lingin – more than that found in modern books. It's the degradation of these chemicals that contribute to the smell we all know too well.
Can't get enough of that bookish scent? Check out this Smell of Books aerosol spray (Classic Musty Smell sounds right up my alley) and Paper Passion perfume!
This post may or may not add a more literal meaning to the phrase "Go stick your nose in book."
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