Wednesday, April 30, 2008

R.I.P. Dr. Albert Hofman


Dr. Albert Hofmann is dead. He died of a heart attack yesterday morning, April 28th, at around 9 am in his home in Burg, Switzerland. Dr Hofman reached the age of 102 years in good health.

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.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Police Gazette 1888




The National Police Gazette of Saturday August 18, 1888 featured this illustration of a woman (a daring Sandwich Island girl!) surfing Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA on a wooden board. This is before Duke Kahanamoku was even born. The nose of her board is well buried so I think she's headed for a fall as she dances away to the music of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band who were playing to an enthusiastic audience on the beach.

Who needs a board?

Belinda Baggs stylin' it without a board

Friday, April 25, 2008

A New Paipo for Winter

Just given another new paulownia paipo it's second coating of linseed oil. A few more oilings and she'll be good to rip. Beautiful grain and light golden honey colour.
Length = 98cm
Width = 42cm
Thickness = 18mm




SMILE!!!!




photo courtesy of Pacific Long Boarder magazine

Saturday, April 12, 2008

British Bellyboarding

http://www.bellyboarding.co.uk/

It's my intention to enter in the 2009 World Bellyboard Championships in Cornwall