Here is a TRUE tale I've long debated about relating.
The recent "Stink Vault" post has galvanised me into action . . . . . .
Roughly 3 years ago I caught my heel and toe between two machines' leg levellers. I fell over and smacked the back of my skull (occipital region) low down on a brick wall opposite. Because I had tools/parts in my hands, my arms were wedged between cabinets and could not reflexively come out to shield the impact.
I awoke concussed, ears ringing like a berserk EM, nauseated and quite scared.
Soon discovered I had completely lost my sense of smell (anosmia) which also f***s up your taste big time.
This is caused by damage when the brain sloshes around and severs/bruises olfactory nerves going up through the cribiform plate above the nose. Since then I reckon I have recovered about 5% of the sense, for which I am grateful.
I do remeber the distinctive miasma of my old Gottlieb - but alas, will never enjoy it again. In reality I would be happy to smell a fart or even a dog turd.
So the morals of the story are:
Beware of pinballs - they can bite (not just electrically)
Enjoy the "stink" of all machines old and new.
Oh yeah, I can't smell p***y (pastry) either.