| With a nod to engineers, packaging has taken more | | | | Therefore, working out how to prepare yourself is |
| twists and turns than anyone imagined a hundred | | | | worth some thought. |
| years ago. Before the advent of the aerosol can, | | | | For women, two main variations on the theme are |
| using pepper spray as a deterrent or safety device | | | | popular. The first is about the size of a tube of |
| simply hadn't come up. As with so many creations, a | | | | lipstick. It is suitable for slipping into an evening bag or |
| couple of developments had to be married to each | | | | pocket and is perfect to take along on a date. No |
| other. | | | | one will know you have it - no one but you. Most of |
| In 1926 a Norwegian chemical engineer named Erik | | | | the time you will have no need for your secret |
| Rotheim invented the first aerosol spray can. He then | | | | weapon. However, should the occasion arise, you |
| sold the patent to a United States company for | | | | have about ten short bursts available. Aim well. |
| 100,000 Norwegian kroners. | | | | The second model is the most popular, by far. From |
| Although American Julian S. Kahn received a patent | | | | young women to grandmothers, the pepper spray |
| for his disposable spray can, the product was not put | | | | container that can be attached to a key ring provides |
| to good use until 1941. At that time Lyle Goodloe and | | | | easy-to-use protection. The ¾ ounce spray |
| William Sullivan developed a refillable spray can called | | | | can has a ring and a belt clip, either of which means |
| the "bug bomb" used by soldiers in WWII's South | | | | you can keep it handy. |
| Pacific theater to reduce insects carrying malaria. | | | | If you want to step up the size just a bit, go to a |
| Patented in 1942, the propellant was liquefied gas, | | | | two-ounce, three-ounce, or even a four-ounce |
| much like what is used in modern products. | | | | canister. They range from four inches to just under |
| Meanwhile, the main gradient in pepper spray was in | | | | six inches in length, so choosing one to fit your hand |
| its infancy. In 1816 the crystalline molecule was first | | | | is no problem. Holding ordinary pill bottles (the plastic |
| isolated by P.A. Bucholz, then again by L.T. Thresh, | | | | ones) will give you an idea about what it feels like. |
| who named it "capsaicin." It was first synthesized in | | | | Once you make a choice on the size, fiddle around |
| 1930. In 1961 Japanese chemists Kosuge and Inagaki | | | | with the unit until you are comfortable handling it and |
| isolated similar substances from chili peppers. Once | | | | getting the proper grasp so your thumb or finger is |
| the offensive molecules were suspended in an | | | | on the lever trigger. |
| emulsion, it was only a few years before the aerosol | | | | As with any pepper spray or tear gas products, |
| can delivery system came together. | | | | remember to:o Stay upwind, if you cano Take aimo |
| Carrying Pepper Spray for Protection | | | | Use a short bursto Use more than one burst, if |
| As with other weapons, if you don't have one in | | | | necessaryo When the bad guy closes his eyes, RUN! |
| your hand, or at lease close by, it is of no use. | | | | |