AEROGARD

An insect repellent developed by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)’s Doug Waterhouse made the 1963 visit of Elizabeth II to Australia more pleasant – eventually. Although the Queen was meant to be sprayed with the repellent at a garden party held at Government House in Canberra, the aide responsible lost his nerve. The next day Government House staff made sure the Queen was sprayed. Journalists following the Queen noted the absence of flies around the official party, and word about CSIRO’s new fly-repellent spread.