From the CEO: Understanding Mace® Brand vs. “mace”

We go to great lengths to protect our brand name. When speaking of pepper spray, it’s important to refer to the product as pepper spray if it is not a Mace^® Brand product. If it is a Mace^® Brand product, please refer to it as Mace^® Brand pepper spray.   

Origin Story

Chemical Mace was originally invented in 1965 by Allan Lee Litman. Litman's formula packaged phenacyl chloride (CN) tear gas dissolved in hydrocarbon solvents into a small aerosol spray can. Primarily sold to police forces, the name gained popularity over the years. The term “maced” referred to being sprayed in the face with Mace^® Brand chemical spray.

Evolved Formula

Due to the toxicity of CN, the chemical formula evolved over the years to replace CN with oleoresin capsicum (OC) pepper spray, made from naturally grown peppers grown around the world. OC also demonstrates superior incapacitating properties relative to CN.

Today,  Mace^® Brand pepper sprays contain OC as the primary active ingredient. The only other ingredients in Mace® pepper sprays are solvents and propellant.

A Brand Is Born

Our company was founded in Vermont in 1987 and obtained an exclusive license to produce and market defense sprays under the Mace® Brand trademark. In 1993, the Company purchased all rights, title and interest to the Mace^® Brand.

We pride ourselves on being the original and authentic Mace^® Brand pepper spray, with our manufacturing facility located in Cleveland, OH.

Gary Medved
President and CEO
Mace Security International, Inc.