Happy 100th Birthday, Inventor of LSD
Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who accidentally discovered LSD in 1938, turns 100 today. He was also the drug's first guinea pig, originally intending it for medicinal use.
"I sat down at home on the divan and started to dream," he told the Swiss television network SF DRS. "What I was thinking appeared in colors and in pictures. It lasted for a couple of hours and then it disappeared." (via ABC)
Yikes. Ok kids, let's all agree to stay away from LSD. In the meantime, check out NPR's Soundcheck show today, which will examine how LSD shaped music of the Hippy movement and beyond. While I don't support hallucinagenic drugs, I do love the music from that era. Maybe I should try sniffing Elmer's Glue the next time I write a song...
Put on your party hats, and sing with me: "Lucy in the Skyyyyyyyy, with Diamonds..."
UPDATE: I'm not sure how I missed this, but there's a great interview with Albert in the NY Times.
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Comments
I guess the stuff can't be that bad... the guy did live to 100, right? ;)
Posted by: Kb | January 11, 2006 05:47 PM
Yeah, I heard part of the Soundcheck interview, and a caller did ask if taking LSD might increase longevity! The guest answered insinuating that those who use LSD often are careful to eat natural and organic food, or something like that, so perhaps that was associated.
BTW--I'll just give a shout out to Soundcheck on NPR. They really have a lot of great interviews and insights into the modern world of music. highly recommend the show, or the podcast.
Posted by: Tara | January 18, 2006 07:35 PM
Are you telling me that Dr. Hoffman just celebrated his 102nd. Birthday? Happy Birthday
Posted by: lsecundo | January 31, 2008 06:30 PM
Are you telling me that Dr. Hoffman just celebrated his 102nd. Birthday? Happy Birthday
Posted by: lsecundo | January 31, 2008 06:30 PM