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