The Swiss chemist who discovered/invented LSD died today at the ripe old age of 102. Albert Hoffman, who died of a heart-attack in his native Switzerland, accidentally stumbled on the drug and in 1943 was its first known user. Hoffman, absorbed a tiny bit of the chemical through his finger and would go on to report in his findings that it made everything distorted like that of a "fun-house mirror."
Hoffman, did not know that this drug would one day be used and abused, entwining itself into the mythology of the hippie generation. Rather he wished that the drug would have some "psychiatric uses" however, this proved not to be the case upon further study.
Hoffman, may have created what he considered a useless drug but it would go on to alter history. Would the Beatles have made Sgt. Peppers and become the world's greatest band without its influence? Would anyone have initially wanted to fill into the rooms of San Fransisco bars to hear the rambling music of the Grateful Dead? And surely the 60's classic novel, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is derived almost specifically from the drug.
So while, Hoffman may have not discovered what he originally intended, he is far from a failure. Almost everything that stems from the 60's and today's current culture wars stems in part from the drugs influence. Hoffman, like Frankenstein of the classic novel, may have lost control of his creation, and many people may claim that is indeed a heartless monster. But it is hard to picture the world, especially an arts section, without its immense influence on popular culture.
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