Will "smell-o-vision" ever be possible?

Question

With the ongoing technology enhancements and inventions, our everyday phones, faxes, scanners, video cameras can process and send images, voices, software etc.. So do you think the ability to transfer odorant molecules between the high performance device (which whatever it may be) and televisions is possible? I know it is taken as a joke now, but I believe anything is possible when it comes to technology these days and in the future.

Answer 1

i have heard this is already in the works

Answer 2

Technically it may already be possible.  The hindering factors are cost, practicality and the logistics of implementing it in society mass-scale.

They have artificial odours pretty accurately mastered for many odours.

There has been research done where they were able to develop a machine which combined several 'base molecules' which could then form quite a large number of smells.

Theoretically they can quite easily control that kind of machine remotely, sending 'recipes' of smells over the air for the machine to make up on demand.

If the machine was perfected and implemented into a tv. and tv encoded instructions for correct smells to be made.  It could be done.  However you will always need to have the 'base chemicals' replenished as you cant make an odour from nothing.

Due to this (and the fact that no one wants to smell quite alot of things on TV) it is highly unlikely we will be seeing them produced (at least for a long time) because there will be no perceivable benefit for someone to develop it.

Hope that answers your question!