Aerosols were first invented in 1926 by Norwegian engineer Erik Rotheim, who was searching for a more efficient way to apply wax to his skis. He discovered that using a pressurised aerosol was the most effective method of delivering a smooth, even coat.

However, aerosols only gained widespread popularity after World War II. During the war, US soldiers in the Pacific were given aerosol ‘bug bombs’ invented by Lyle Goodhue, to protect themselves from malaria-carrying mosquitoes. These repellent cans proved so effective that, after the war, they became widely available in surplus stores and quickly found their way into homes as a popular pest control solution, which expanded into an array for diverse products.

In South Africa and other countries, aerosols began making their mark around the 1950s.