Pioneer chemist Albert Hofmann dies at age 102

Hofmann was born in Baden, Switzerland, January 11 1906, and studied chemistry at the University of Zürich. His main interest was the chemistry of plants and animals, and he later conducted important research regarding the chemical structure of the common animal substance chitin, for which he received his doctorate.

Hofmann joined the pharmaceutical-chemical department of Sandoz Laboratories (now Novartis), located in Basel.
He began studying the medicinal plant squill and the fungus ergot as part of a program to purify and synthesize active constituents for use as pharmaceuticals.
While researching lysergic acid derivatives, Hofmann first synthesized LSD-25 in 1938.
It was set aside for five years, until April 16, 1943, when Hofmann decided to take another look at it. While re-synthesizing LSD, he accidentally absorbed a small quantity through his fingertips and serendipitously discovered its powerful effects on his bicycle ride home.
Three days later, on April 19, Hofmann deliberately consumed 250 micrograms of LSD.
This was followed by a series of self-experiments conducted by Hofmann and his colleagues. He first wrote about these experiments on April 22 of that year.

Yesterday, Albert Hofmann died from a heart attack on April 29, 2008 in the village of Burg im Leimental, near Basel, Switzerland. He was 102.

Albert Hofmann was the father of LSD and an eternal child too.

Rest in peace Albert, you're still with us.