Ancient Use Of Pepper Spray For Self Defense
Did you know that using the spiciness of peppers for self-defense actually dates back centuries? Although modern aerosol cans of pepper spray were developed only in the past several decades, using peppers for self-defense actually dates as far back as ancient Japan, China, and India. Ground up cayenne peppers was often used to blind one's enemies and immobilize attackers. In these cultures, this use of peppers was seen as acceptable for self defense because the peppers cause no lasting harm. In other ancient communities, such as in Japan, a box of chili powder was often blown into the eyes of someone convicted of a crime.
Modern pepper spray could not develop from these ideas until the invention of the aerosol spray can. This provided the first effective method for propelling the pepper towards the person. The first successful aerosol-based spray cans were developed in the 1940s, although the first pepper sprays to use this delivery method were not developed until the 1960's and early 1970's.
These modern forms also isolated the chemical in peppers that makes them burn, resulting in a stronger formula. This capsaicin itself is a much stronger method than the whole pepper. Japanese chemists first isolated it in 1961. Today, many pepper sprays contain the substance oleoresin capsicum, which is what makes peppers hot.
To make the pepper-derived powder into a spray, the chemicals are first suspended in an oil or liquid base. Then this substance is pressurized in spray cans. The first modern, aerosol-based pepper sprays first came to market in 1969, although these early versions were intended only for military and police uses or for use against animal attacks. The first civilians to own and use this form of self defense were mainly hunters, outdoorsmen, and others who were likely to use this spray when face to face with wild animals.
United States Postal Service mail carriers began carrying pepper spray in the 1980's in case pet dogs attacked them. Both the FBI and the NYPD adopted pepper spray as part of their weapon arsenal by the early 1990s, and it was soon carried by law enforcement agencies across the world as a safe, non-lethal alternative to other weapons. As pepper spray became more common for law enforcement, it also began to be marketed for civilian use, as a self-defense weapon to carry in a purse or pocket.
Today, many pepper sprays contain chemicals developed specifically for this purpose, rather than those derived from peppers. Chloracetophenone (CN) and Orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile (CS) is the most common; these are usually much hotter than the oleoresin capsicum derived directly from peppers. Today it is carried by law enforcement agencies, hunters, joggers, and anyone else in need of an easy-to-use self defense method.
Modern pepper spray could not develop from these ideas until the invention of the aerosol spray can. This provided the first effective method for propelling the pepper towards the person. The first successful aerosol-based spray cans were developed in the 1940s, although the first pepper sprays to use this delivery method were not developed until the 1960's and early 1970's.
These modern forms also isolated the chemical in peppers that makes them burn, resulting in a stronger formula. This capsaicin itself is a much stronger method than the whole pepper. Japanese chemists first isolated it in 1961. Today, many pepper sprays contain the substance oleoresin capsicum, which is what makes peppers hot.
To make the pepper-derived powder into a spray, the chemicals are first suspended in an oil or liquid base. Then this substance is pressurized in spray cans. The first modern, aerosol-based pepper sprays first came to market in 1969, although these early versions were intended only for military and police uses or for use against animal attacks. The first civilians to own and use this form of self defense were mainly hunters, outdoorsmen, and others who were likely to use this spray when face to face with wild animals.
United States Postal Service mail carriers began carrying pepper spray in the 1980's in case pet dogs attacked them. Both the FBI and the NYPD adopted pepper spray as part of their weapon arsenal by the early 1990s, and it was soon carried by law enforcement agencies across the world as a safe, non-lethal alternative to other weapons. As pepper spray became more common for law enforcement, it also began to be marketed for civilian use, as a self-defense weapon to carry in a purse or pocket.
Today, many pepper sprays contain chemicals developed specifically for this purpose, rather than those derived from peppers. Chloracetophenone (CN) and Orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile (CS) is the most common; these are usually much hotter than the oleoresin capsicum derived directly from peppers. Today it is carried by law enforcement agencies, hunters, joggers, and anyone else in need of an easy-to-use self defense method.
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