The day that has been dubbed bicycle day does have to do with a trip. It takes only a single glance at any page to realize the thoughtful intricacy poured into this work, which serves as both an important staple for the cartooning form and a visible example of how. Albert hofmann was a swiss chemist best known for being the father of lsd, or lysergic acid diethylamide. Each day he set off on his bicycle to ply his trade at sandoz pharmaceuticals in basel, in the shadow of the swiss alps. Brooklynbased artist brian blomerth creates an intimate retelling of the day swiss chemist albert hoffman became the first person to ingest lsd. Albert hofmann authored more than 100 scientific articles and wrote a number of books, including lsd. Bicycle day is commemorated as the day swiss scientist albert hofmann discovered the effects of the psychedelic substance lysergic acid diethylamide, also known as lsd.
The annual day is upon us once more, and it is our sacred duty to revolt against global panic with a healthy dose of reverie. In 1999, while, researching a book on mysticism, i flew to basel to attend. With brian blomerths bicycle day, the artist has produced his most ambitious work to date. This bicycle day, celebrate albert hofmanns psychedelic. Bicycle day marks lsd discovery by albert hoffman as. Jun 26, 2019 brian blomerths graphic novel bicycle day illuminates the life swiss scientist albert hofmann, the first person in history to purposely ingest lsd. As of today, hofmann is still alive and well at the ripe old age of 100 years.
In his debut graphic novel bicycle day, brooklyn illustrator brian blomerth takes us on a mindbending journey recounting the events of 19 april 1943 when swiss mystic chemist albert hofmann intentionally ingested an experimental dose of the new compound known as lysergic acid diethylamide and embarked on the worlds first ever acid trip. I expect its been posted here before, and most of you may well have seen it, but since theres a few posts about bicycle day, i thought it might be of interest. April 19th is bicycle day and it commemorates the first time dr albert hoffmann took lysergic acid diethylamide lsd having accidentally discovered it three days previously. The cheeky cover sets the tone for the publication, which recounts the events of april 19, 1943 a. On april 19, 1943, albert hofmann, the swiss father of psychedelic medicine, dropped lysergic acid diethylamide and went on a bike ride, becoming the. Three days earlier, he had absorbed a small amount of the drug either through his fingertips or by accidentally ingesting it. In his debut graphic novel bicycle day, brooklyn illustrator brian.
Carlos castaneda was a reclusive author whose bestselling series of books include the teachings of don juan, published in 1968. Three days later, on april 19 later known as bicycle day, after his bicycle ride home that day while under lsds influence, hofmann deliberately consumed 250 micrograms of lsd, and experienced far more intense effects. Til bicycle day 19th april celebrates swiss scientist albert hofmanns discovery of lsd in 1943, and the harrowing ride home on his bicycle after deliberately ingesting a dose of the drug. Bicycle day is a celebration that commemorates the day albert hofmann first tripped on lsd, and bicycled home from his lab in basel on april 19, 1943. Not just to illustrate, but to visually communicate, a historical first. April 19, known as bicycle day, commemorates the day dr. Bicycle day, when swiss chemist albert hofmann set off on the worlds first acid trip after he ingested an experimental dose of a new compound called lysergic acid diethylamide lsd. Bicycle day celebrates swiss scientist albert hofmanns discovery of lysergic acid diethylamide or lsd in 1943, and the subsequent, and at times harrowing, ride home on. This day is now known as bicycle day, because he began to feel the effects of the drug as he rode home on a bike. A remarkable, intensely visual unpacking of four pivotal days in the life of swiss chemist albert hofmann, brian blomerths brilliant bicycle day recounts the historical happening when hofmann would embark on the worlds first acid trip in april 1943.
Albert hofmann was born in baden, switzerland, on january 11, 1906. This was followed by a series of selfexperiments conducted by hofmann and. However, it isnt exactly in reference to a literal bicycle trip. Merry jane sat down with illustrator brian blomerth to discuss his visual history of how albert hoffman discovered acid. Bicycle day on 19 april is the 75th anniversary of the day albert hofmann accidentally discovered lsd, changing his perceptions and the citys future. And not just any historical first at that, but one that involved entering another state of consciousness altogether i refer to the worlds very. Other times, we come to realise that they were never the problem. Aug 06, 2019 brian blomerths graphic novel bicycle day tells the story of the psychedelic ride made in 1943 by swiss chemist albert hofmann as he researched the drug lsd. Skip the next few paragraphs if you want to go straight to it. Apr, 2018 the day that has been dubbed bicycle day does have to do with a trip. An interview with lucius werthmuller, coauthor of mystic chemist the celebration of bicycle day commemorates the day that swiss chemist and discoverer of lysergic acid diethylamide lsd, albert hofmann, first intentionally ingested lsd in a selfexperiment conducted in order to ascertain its effects.
On april 19, 1943, albert hofmann, the swiss father of psychedelic medicine, dropped lysergic acid diethylamide and went on a bike ride, becoming the first human to ever trip on acid. A tantalizing drop of rainbowcolored liquid hangs over the lolling tongue of a balloon on the cover of brian blomerths bicycle day, the brooklynbased comic artists debut graphic novel. Chemist albert hofmann first discovered the psychedelic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide. Albert hofmann 1906present is none other than the swiss chemist who created the most enigmatic, and strangest chemical known to man, lsd25. Brian blomerths bicycle day is the artists most ambitious work to date. Bicycle day patch albert hofmann 1943 lsd psychedelic hippie. Bicycle day patch albert hofmann 1943 lsd psychedelic. Hofmann discovered the full effects of lsd on his bewildering bike ride home from the lab. Albert hofmann called lsd his problem child such was the disruption to worldviews and controversy its use created. Brian blomerths graphic novel bicycle day tells the story of the psychedelic ride made in 1943 by swiss chemist albert hofmann as he researched the drug lsd. Bicycle day illuminates the life of swiss scientist albert hofmann, the. Exactly 71 years ago, april 19, 1943, albert hofmann, a chemist for sandoz, in basel, switzerland, ingested a minute amountjust 250 microgramsof a compound derived from the ergot fungus. Brian blomerth an account of the events of april 19, 1943, when swiss chemist albert hofmann ingested an experimental dose of a new compound known as lysergic acid diethylamide and embarked on the worlds first. Apr 11, 2017 this week reactions is celebrating bicycle day with some psychedelic science.
Apr, 2020 albert hofmann was a swiss chemist best known for being the father of lsd, or lysergic acid diethylamide. Jul 22, 2019 a remarkable, intensely visual unpacking of four pivotal days in the life of swiss chemist albert hofmann, brian blomerths brilliant bicycle day recounts the historical happening when hofmann would embark on the worlds first acid trip in april 1943. Hofmann had synthesized lsd in his lab as a medical stimulant for the respiratory and circulatory system in 1938, but at the time he didnt know what powers it held. Jun 21, 2019 with brian blomerths bicycle day, the artist has produced his most ambitious work to date. Bicycle day is commemorated as the day swiss scientist albert hofmann discovered the effects of the psychedelic substance lysergic acid diethylamide, also known as lsd although bicycle day took place on april 19, 1943, it wasnt hofmanns first. Albert hofmann took the first lsd trip 74 years ago and. His expertise lay in synthesising chemical compounds for medicinal purposes. Hi all, i thought id post albert hoffmans trip report from his first full lsd trip on 250g. Apr 19, 2017 on april 19, 1943, albert hofmann, the swiss father of psychedelic medicine, dropped lysergic acid diethylamide and went on a bike ride, becoming the first human to ever trip on acid. On this day, april 19, 1943 albert hofmann, a 37 year old chemist for sandoz, in basel, switzerland, ingested intentionally a minute amountjust 250 microgramsof a compound derived from the ergot fungus thus synthesizing lysergic acid diethylamide for the first time.
Apr 19, 2016 bicycle day celebrates swiss scientist albert hofmann s discovery of lysergic acid diethylamide or lsd in 1943, and the subsequent, and at times harrowing, ride home on his bicycle after. This was followed by a series of selfexperiments conducted by hofmann and his colleagues. Bicycle day is april 19, commemorating april 19, 1943, when dr. Albert hofmann biography childhood, life achievements. Albert hofmann albert hofmann in 1993 born 19060111 11 january 1906 baden, switzerland died 29 april 2008 20080429 aged 102 burg im leimental, switzerland nationality swiss alma mater university of zurich known for discovery of lsd25, naming and synthesizing psilocin spouses anita hofmann. Albert hofmann 11 january 1906 29 april 2008 was a swiss scientist known best for being. A graphic novel trips out on the discovery of lsd eye on. The famous bicycle day patch showing albert hofmann on his first lsd experience riding on his bicycle. Bicycle day is known as the day albert hofmann took a ride on a bike.
His father was a poor toolmaker in a factory and they lived in a rented apartment. Brian blomerths bicycle day, a mindbending book recounting the. Nowadays, psychonauts and lsd enthusiasts commemorate the event every april 19th, on whats called bicycle day. Following the deliberate 250mcg dose he started to feel a little odd, so decided to ride his bicycle home. Even though bicycle day involved an actual trip on a bicycle, it was another kind of trip that would get this day into the history books.
This week reactions is celebrating bicycle day with some psychedelic science. Brian blomerths graphic novel bicycle day illuminates the life swiss scientist albert hofmann, the first person in history to purposely ingest lsd. Hoffmans full trip report of bicycle day 19th april 1943. A graphic novel trips out on the discovery of lsd eye. Hofmann, who worked in the pharmaceutical department of sandoz laboratories in basel. Withbrian blomerths bicycle day, the artist has produced his most ambitious work to date. Bicycle day, albert hofmann and the accidental origins of lsd. Apr 19, 2020 on the afternoon of april 19th, 1943, the swiss chemist albert hofmann dropped acid, and rode his bike home. Bicycle day is a perfect childrens book about the invention of lsd. Plus, theres no page numbers, which imbibes the book with this hypnagogic feel. With his debut graphic novel, bicycle day, brooklynbased cartoonist and commercial illustrator brian blomerth has set for himself a fairly daunting challenge. Intrigued by the experience, hofmann dosed himself with 250 micrograms of lsd and then biked his way home through the streets of basel on april 19, 1943, making him the first person ever to intentionally drop acid. Brian blomerth illustrates his historic trip brian blomerths graphic novel bicycle day illuminates the life swiss scientist albert hofmann, the. The events of the first lsd trip, now known as bicycle day, after the bicycle ride home, proved to hofmann that he had indeed made a significant discovery.
On january 11, 2006, hofmann became a centenarian, and the occasion of his 100th birthday was the focus of an international symposium on lsd. Til bicycle day 19th april celebrates swiss scientist albert hofmann s discovery of lsd in 1943, and the harrowing ride home on his bicycle after deliberately ingesting a dose of the drug. On the afternoon of april 19th, 1943, the swiss chemist albert hofmann dropped acid, and rode his bike home. He spent much of his childhood outdoors, and grew up with a very deep connection with nature. Bicycle day is a celebration that commemorates the day alb. Exactly 71 years ago, april 19, 1943, albert hofmann, a chemist for sandoz, in basel. Illustrator, musician and selfdescribed comic stripper brian blomerth has spent years combining classic underground art styles with his bitingly irreverent visual wit in zines, comics, and album covers. Chemist albert hofmann first discovered the psychedelic effects of. Hofmann, who worked in the pharmaceutical department of. Apr 19, 2018 bicycle day on 19 april is the 75th anniversary of the day albert hofmann accidentally discovered lsd, changing his perceptions and the citys future. To celebrate this important moment in the history of psychedelics, we are offering a 10% discount on all our. Bicycle day, when swiss chemist albert hofmann set off on the world.
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