The use of aromatic cedar wood for storage dates back to ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians and the Greeks. Aromatic cedar wood was highly prized for its natural insect-repelling properties and was used to store clothing, linens, and other fabric items. They constructed aromatic cedar chests and used them for storing some of their most prized fabrics.
In North America, Native American tribes also used aromatic cedar for storage, particularly for storing food and other perishable items. They also used cedar in their homes, as the scent was believed to have medicinal properties and could help alleviate respiratory issues.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, aromatic cedar became a popular choice for furniture and decorative items, including aromatic cedar trunks and very decorative cedar chests. The wood's natural durability and resistance to rot and decay made it an ideal material for cedar trunks used for travel and storage.
Aromatic cedar trunks gained popularity in the United States during the 20th century, particularly after World War II. Soldiers returning from the war brought back cedar chests and cedar trunks as souvenirs, and their popularity quickly spread throughout the country. During this time, manufacturers began producing cedar trunks and cedar chests on a larger scale, using modern machinery and techniques to make them more affordable and accessible to the general public. Cedar trunks were marketed as a practical and stylish storage solution that could also repel insects and provide a fresh, natural scent to clothing and linens.
Today, aromatic cedar trunks remain a popular storage solution, with Rhino Trunk and Case making many different styles and sizes available to suit a variety of needs and preferences. They are still prized for their natural insect-repelling properties and are often used to store clothing, linens, and other fabric items. The timeless appeal of aromatic cedar combined with its practical benefits, continues to make aromatic cedar trunks by Rhino a popular choice for homeowners. There are many small cedar chest makers scattered throughout the US. However, only Rhino Trunk and Case makes an aromatic cedar trunk.