Information regarding Edna Murphey's early life is scant. However, it is known that she lived in Cincinnati, Ohio. Specific details about her birthdate, family, and education remain largely unrecorded. Her lack of prior business experience makes her later success with Odorono even more remarkable, suggesting a natural aptitude for marketing and entrepreneurship that was not necessarily cultivated through formal training.

Edna Murphey was a physician or possibly a surgeon's assistant (records are unclear). She created the formula for Odorono, a portmanteau of "Odor? Oh no!" She identified a need for a solution to address perspiration odor, which was becoming an increasing concern in a society that was increasingly concerned about social expectations. This formula, based on aluminum chloride, proved to be incredibly effective, although initially harsh, at preventing sweat and odor, setting it apart from the perfumes and superficial solutions of the time.