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iStockphoto.com/SychuginaElenaThe use of deodorants dates back to the ancient Sumerians, who also pioneered the world's first written language and invented the wheel [source: Patrick]. The first modern, mass-produced deodorant, a cream applied manually to the underarms, began enhancing social interactions in 1888.
By the 1950s, roll-on deodorants (featuring an applicator akin to a ballpoint pen) became popular, making the old method of hand-applied creams obsolete. Aerosol-spray deodorants emerged a decade later, and stick deodorants arrived in the 1970s, combining deodorant with waxes, fats, and emollients to create a solid bar housed in a portable plastic container.
In the past, aerosol deodorants often contained chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which released chlorine into the atmosphere, damaging the ozone layer that shields us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Since 1994, CFCs have been banned in aerosol sprays (though the atmosphere won't fully recover until around 2050) [source: EPA]. Today, manufacturers use safer alternatives as propellants.
Which is superior: roll-on, spray-on, or stick deodorants? The answer largely depends on personal preference. Spray deodorants typically dry faster under the arms compared to other types. A quick spray for a few seconds, a couple of arm flaps, and you're ready. However, with roll-ons or sticks, you need to be careful to avoid smearing your shirt, especially with dark clothing, unless you want white streaks.
However, no one enjoys standing near someone spraying deodorant everywhere. Similarly, users of spray deodorants aren't fond of inhaling aerosol fumes.
In today's strict airport security environment, gel and spray deodorants must be under 3.4 ounces and stored in quart-sized bags. This can be inconvenient compared to stick deodorants, which can be any size and don't require a bag [source: TSA]. While grounded individuals can experiment with all three types, frequent flyers might find stick deodorants the most practical choice.
