Just out of curiosity, I was wondering what kind of cologne Ludwig von Mises would have worn. I find it hard to believe that a person of his stature and refinement wouldn’t have worn a fragrance, so I am trying to figure out what it possibly could have been. I also wonder if he switched fragrances when he moved to Switzerland and the United States. Is this information known, or was very little known of his personal life. Also, since we’re on this subject, does anyone know what Murray Rothbard wore? How about other Austrians (Menger, Böhm-Bawerk, etc)?
Oh, and feel free to turn this into a cologne discussion thread (what do you wear?).
I dont feel comfortable with colognes or perfurme and Im quite satisfied with my skin, so I dont wear any. But Im very serious about my deodorant, a good one must smell nice but not strong, last for long and not be sticky.
About cologne, I only own two different bottles. One of them is Versace Pour Homme, which I wear at night, and the other one is a Burberry (maybe “weekend”, I don’t remember the name) that I tend to wear during the day or when the event is less formal than what I would wear the Versace for.
As for myself, I own a…few…bottles but there are two that I enjoy the most and earn the most time in my rotation. My every day, all purpose scent is Rive Gauche pour Homme by Yves Saint Laurent. It’s an absolutely fantastic fragrance that evokes that clean, barbershop smell and makes me feel like a well groomed intellectual. It’s really enjoyable to wear while reading a massive economics treatise like Human Action. For more formal occasions The Third Man by Caron is what I swear by.
The creator of the first Cologne was Gian Paolo Feminis who arrived at his invention in 1709 - “Aqua Admirabilis”. It is recorded that Napoleon Bonaparte used eight quarts of violet cologne every month.
The biggest of all technological advances was the ability to create synthetic ingredients to substitute natural perfume ingredients that were hard to find or very expensive, bringing perfume and cologne prices down and making it accessible to the masses. Perfume was no longer a luxury for the wealthy.
Indeed, cologne (like all other luxury goods) began as an item for the wealthy. I highly doubt that a Viennese gentleman, in those days, would not wear a cologne. It’s only recently (70s-80s) with the advent of cheap fragrances (due to improved production techniques) that they have become associated with lascivious teenagers.
I have never considered this at all before. What an absurd question!
How fun!
I don’t know about historical accuracey, but if I imagined that Mises had a fragrance I think it would be something heavy. I think that because he looked like a stout guy and from his writing he seems like a very serious minded person. But it was probably also a little flowery, since (for some reason or another) that strikes me as the style of a Continental gentleman. Gucci by Gucci maybe?
By comparison, I think Keynes’ cologne would be less heavy. I think so because he was pretty tall and thin and from his writing he seems like a pretty fun guy since it moves along at a more rapid clip and he can turn a good phase (General Theory being something of an exception, but it has its moments). It would probably also have to British and somewhat woody (Cambridge has very green scenery). Burberry London, maybe?
The J. Peterman Company, Owner’s Manuel No. 11, Summer 1990:
Circles of aficionados still to this day explore economist Ludwig von Mises’s Human Action for elements that may provide an even deeper inspection into the monumental work. With its careful structuring and innumerable allusions to mythology and other subtleties of olden influence, it is regarded as more than an explicit treatise on economics. Some go as far as musing that Mises dropped hints to his own intimate intrigues. For instance, it is thought that certain passages suggest that he delighted in the relish of bread more than that of confectionery. One selection has steered visitors of Austria to knead earth into their skin in the conviction that it was the aroma of den Schmutz von Österreich which Mises had a penchant to issue from his self.
Ah..J. Peterman. It reminds me of my journeys into the deep heart of the Burma with my guide Willahobo. Ah yes that scrappy fellow and I found the treasure of King Binnya Dala.
