What is your favorite industrial smell?

[wdfifteen]

[QUOTE=oldE;8892296]When you're ploughing a furrow, there's a whiff of diesel in the air, but the smell of the fresh turned sod overpowers it.
I grew up on a small farm. Maybe that's why it is such a powerful one for me. /QUOTE]

Freshly plowed earth is wonderful!! I never thought of it as an industrial smell, but it is such a sweet, rich aroma. Barn muck at the right age smells pretty good too, if you don't think about what it is.

[Craig T]

Xylene. I grew up in my parent's medical laboratory. They did a lot of pap smears and Xylene was used to scrub the cells. The smell of Xylene permeated the building. It was also in the university biology labs when I was studying cytogenetics and myeloid disease prognostication. Every time I smell Xylene it reminds me of my youth.

[billybek]

My dad was a weldor and has long retired but the smell in the garage was a combination of burnt welding rod/flux, hot metal, grinding/cutting disks, and cutting fluids for the lathe.
I notice these smells at the workplace and it reminds me of home.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

"loved the smell of the ocean mixed with diesel in the morning."

Oh man, that would make me toss my breakfast. I remember it when I am sea sick while out fishing as a kid. That smell near the engine and the ocean water would just me feed the fish immediately. There are times I am fine, no sea sick, but still do not like that smell just as the boat takes off form the pier.

I am tired of that pine smell. over 25 years of it is enough.

[Bill Douglas]

Laundry powder. My last job (12 years ago) was working in a large factory that made laundry powder, dishwashing liquid and soap. I loved that place.

[look 171]

I like that old gasoline smell. Now they don't smell anymore. Must be summer blend, winter blend, or what ever that is.

[ledhedsymbols]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

I love the smell of recently spent fireworks.

Ohhhh! Good one! I like the smell of fireworks and black powder...

Since I'm not a member of The Army of the Potomac I suppose that doesn't count as a an industrial smell. Still love it though!

[crustychief]

cold start turbine exhaust, Hoppes #9, avgas. cordite.

[Holger]

I love the smell of warm wood when drilling holes or cutting.

And when I was a kid I was into RC-racing cars (1:12, battery). We raced indoors in sports halls and we used a special felt for the tracks. Sometimes the races where directly on the sport hall floor, we had to have very soft tires. So we used a chemical to "melt" the stuff the tires where made of (sometimes we used the material of ping-pong bats and made our own tires). I think the chemical was called "acetylsalicylic acid" or something like that. I still have that smell in the nose and can make a time travel back to those exciting days!

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Holger

I think the chemical was called "acetylsalicylic acid" or something like that.

I doubt it was that....that's aspirin.

My favorite would be mig welding, and the smell on your clothes after a full day of welding. And the whiff of oil based interior paint.

[bmcuscgr94]

Originally Posted by oldE

When you're ploughing a furrow, there's a whiff of diesel in the air, but the smell of the fresh turned sod overpowers it.
I grew up on a small farm. Maybe that's why it is such a powerful one for me.

Les

This. added to it the musty smell of wet walnuts drying as we finish harvest at my in-laws. Or diesel exhaust, salt air and a touch of fish at the docks

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Any and all sensations/ sounds/ smells related to a steam engine locomotive (coal, steam, soot, grease, creosote from railroad ties-already mentioned) Everything.

[Seahawk]

So many excellent posts!

Freshly cut hay.
The smell of a brand new Blackhawk helicopter.

[Holger]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I doubt it was that....that's aspirin.

Yes, I know, but I am quite sure it was called that ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salicylic_acid

Have to check!

[berettafan]

Before we moved to the beach I would notice the creosote smell when we got near on vacation. It is a nice smell.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Freshly cut hay.

Yes! Especially alfalfa. Sometimes in early summer I'll drive out into the country with the windows rolled down just for the smell of the curing alfalfa.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Holger

I think the chemical was called "acetylsalicylic acid" or something like that.

That's aspirin. Maybe some variety of acetone?

[Noah930]

I used to have a patient who worked in a See's Candies factory. She smelled like chocolate every time she came in for an apt. Does that count?

I also go to offices in Ventura County and pass by the strawberry fields in Camarillo. When I commute by motorcycle during summer months I can smell the ripening fruit.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Yes! Especially alfalfa. Sometimes in early summer I'll drive out into the country with the windows rolled down just for the smell of the curing alfalfa.

Freshly cut hay???

Strawberries?


This has drifted off of industrial smells

[Geronimo '74]

Cement/ mortar