The original formulation for Mum deodorant was invented in 1888, by an unknown inventor from Philadelphia. Generally recognized as being the first ever product to prevent odour, the inventor promptly trademarked his invention and distributed it through his nurse under the name of "Mum." In the late 1940's, Helen Barnett Diserens joined the Mum production team. A suggestion by a colleague inspired Helen to develop an underarm deodorant based on the same principle as a new-fangled invention called the 'ball point' pen. This new type of deodorant applicator was tested in the USA in 1952, and marketed under the name of Ban Roll-On.
