Original Story from CNET back in Oct. of 2007.

After the introduction of scented phones, it was inevitable that more technology playing to the olfactory glands would make its way to the public. Yet we didn’t anticipate seeing it put to use in commercial signage.

NTT Communications is doing just that in Tokyo, where it’s been experimenting with “its latest aroma-emitting digital sign technology, called ‘Kaoru Digital Signage,’” according to Pink Tentacle. And its test site is one of the most significant venues in Japanese culture: a pub. Outside the Kirin City Beer Hall are 19-inch displays that provide aromas to match particular images. But for some reason, rather than the smell of hops and barley, they’re emitting such scents as lemon and orange. Go figure.

One interesting technical aspect of the displays is its control via the Web; instructions for particular types of fragrances and their concentration levels can be dictated remotely to cover as much as 5,400 square feet. Which makes us think that NTT had better invest in some security, because the last thing they’d want would be a hacker messing around with this stuff.

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Thanks CNET! Yeah this story cracks me up, I mean I can picture in my head all the major fragrance labels utilizing this technology to continuously emit a sample of their product while you stop to watch some “sexy-beautiful people” play in the sand in one of their ads.

Hmmm…I wonder– if enough of them are emitting in the same general vicinity, do you think you could essentially get a “drive-thru carwash” effect as you walk through the fragrance dept. at Macy*s???