Smell-O-Vision

See also: smell-o-vision

English

Alternative forms

• smellovision
• smell-o-vision
• Smell-o-Vision

Etymology

Coined by Mike Todd, Jr.

Proper noun

Smell-O-Vision

1. A system that choreographed the release of odors during the projection of a film, invented by Hans Laube.
   • 1990, Frank W. Hoffmann, William G. Bailey, Arts and Entertainment Fads, pages 19–20:

     Each Smell-O-Vision customer sat in a movie seat equipped with a system to pipe in smells directly to the nose.

   • 2002, Stephen Wilson, information arts: intersections of art, science, and technology, page 60:

     In 1960, the movie A Scent of Mystery used the Smell-o-Vision system, which solved the distribution problem by including smell tubes at each seat.

   • 2003, Fabrizio Davide, Giuseppe Riva, Wijnand A. IJsselsteijn, Being There: Concepts, Effects and Measurements of User Presence in Synthetic Environments, page 28:

     Around 1960 two competing olfactory technologies, Smell-O-Vision and Aromarama, introduced smells as an added sensory dimension to sight and sound.

   • 2004, Francis Katamba, English Words: Structure, History, Usage, UK: Routledge, page 185:

     But, alas, audiences were unimpressed and smell-o-vision [sic.] technology was stillborn.

References

• 1959, Copper Abstracts: Selected Abstracts of Recent Literature on Copper and Copper Alloys, Copper Development Association (Great Britain)

Noun

Smell-O-Vision (uncountable)

1. (nonstandard) Any such system that adds olfaction to cinematography, often portrayed as futuristic or far-fetched.
   • 1944, Bob Clampett (director), “The Old Grey Hare”, Merrie Melodies, Warner Bros.

     Smellevision [sic.] Replaces Television