We all know about America’s laser-guided bombs, cluster bombs, daisy cutters, bunker busters—the new and improved weapons of choice in the war on terrorism.
Soon to be added to Uncle Sam’s nonnuclear arsenal is an even more devastating device: the stink bomb, a multiodor creation guaranteed to violently assault anyone’s olfactory organs.
The smell bomb, not dangerous and effective in low concentrations, would be used to control crowds and deter movement in restricted areas.
According to the smellistics experts, the body can adapt quickly to one overwhelming unpleasant odor, such as armpits. But not to two or more different aromas also including, say, decaying flesh or puke.
The U.S. Dept. of Defense wanted an odor so universally repulsive it would be considered unbearable to persons in all cultures. Developer of the vile stench is the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. Pa.
Nominations are open for the first test sites, preferably in the Middle East. (20 JANUARY 2002)
