Orbituary
Props in Passing on the Ascendance of Dr. Albert Hoffmanby chris23 on 2008-04-30 12:53:57tags: albert hoffman, lsd
Unwittingly unleashing one of the most transformative substances ever discovered, Dr. Hoffman brought to the world in perfect synchro the stroboscopic antidote to nuclear annihilation. Modern music, art and advertising. The anti-war movement. The civil rights movement. The personal computer revolution. All owe a great debt to his "problem child", still trying to fit in to a neglectful and judgmental society of fear. The patterns of light and color thrown off by this discovery continue to ripple and refract across our world in kaleidoscopic wonder, gradually and steadily recasting our world in the images of reunion. Rewarded with a long life and a glowing historical legacy, Dr. Hoffman has lain to rest in the halls of eternity, ever-present in the world of things, speaking to all who dare ingest his most potent discovery. May the angels bear you well to the great beyond.
From the Vault at Erowid:
Albert Hofmann was born in Baden, Switzerland in 1906. He graduated from the University of Zürich with a degree in chemistry in 1929 and went to work for Sandoz Pharmaceutical in Basel, Switzerland. With the laboratory goal of working towards isolation of the active principles of known medicinal plants, Hofmann worked with Mediterranean squill (Scilla maritima) for several years, before moving on to the study of Claviceps purpurea (ergot) and ergot alkaloids. Over the next few years, he worked his way through the lysergic acid derivatives, eventually synthesizing LSD-25 for the first time in 1938. After minimal testing, LSD-25 was set aside as he continued with other derivatives. Four years later, on April 16, 1943, he re-synthesized LSD-25 because he felt he might have missed something the first time around. That day, he became the first human to experience the effects of LSD after accidentally ingesting a minute amount. Three days later, on April 19, 1943, he decided to verify his results by intentionally ingesting 250 ug of LSD. This day has become known as "Bicycle Day" as Hofmann experienced an incredible bicycle ride on his way home from the lab. In addition to his discovery of LSD, he was also the first to synthesize psilocybin (the active constituent of 'magic mushrooms') in 1958. Albert Hofmann, known as the 'father of LSD', continued to work at Sandoz until 1971 when he retired as Director of Research for the Department of Natural Products. He continued to write, lecture, and play a leading role as an elder in the psychedelic community until his quick and relatively painless death from a heart attack at the age of 102.
Unwittingly unleashing one of the most transformative substances ever discovered, Dr. Hoffman brought to the world in perfect synchro the stroboscopic antidote to nuclear annihilation. Modern music, art and advertising. The anti-war movement. The civil rights movement. The personal computer revolution. All owe a great debt to his "problem child", still trying to fit in to a neglectful and judgmental society of fear. The patterns of light and color thrown off by this discovery continue to ripple and refract across our world in kaleidoscopic wonder, gradually and steadily recasting our world in the images of reunion. Rewarded with a long life and a glowing historical legacy, Dr. Hoffman has lain to rest in the halls of eternity, ever-present in the world of things, speaking to all who dare ingest his most potent discovery. May the angels bear you well to the great beyond.
From the Vault at Erowid:
Albert Hofmann was born in Baden, Switzerland in 1906. He graduated from the University of Zürich with a degree in chemistry in 1929 and went to work for Sandoz Pharmaceutical in Basel, Switzerland. With the laboratory goal of working towards isolation of the active principles of known medicinal plants, Hofmann worked with Mediterranean squill (Scilla maritima) for several years, before moving on to the study of Claviceps purpurea (ergot) and ergot alkaloids. Over the next few years, he worked his way through the lysergic acid derivatives, eventually synthesizing LSD-25 for the first time in 1938. After minimal testing, LSD-25 was set aside as he continued with other derivatives. Four years later, on April 16, 1943, he re-synthesized LSD-25 because he felt he might have missed something the first time around. That day, he became the first human to experience the effects of LSD after accidentally ingesting a minute amount. Three days later, on April 19, 1943, he decided to verify his results by intentionally ingesting 250 ug of LSD. This day has become known as "Bicycle Day" as Hofmann experienced an incredible bicycle ride on his way home from the lab. In addition to his discovery of LSD, he was also the first to synthesize psilocybin (the active constituent of 'magic mushrooms') in 1958. Albert Hofmann, known as the 'father of LSD', continued to work at Sandoz until 1971 when he retired as Director of Research for the Department of Natural Products. He continued to write, lecture, and play a leading role as an elder in the psychedelic community until his quick and relatively painless death from a heart attack at the age of 102.
