Hofmann came across LSD whilst investigating ergotamine, a chemical found in the ergot fungus known to grow on rye, in 1938.

In the medieval era, bread contaminated with ergot had caused a debilitating condition known as St Anthony's Fire, which has symptoms including gangrene and loss of limbs.

But the alkaloids in ergot were felt by some to have potential benefits and in 1935, ergonovine was first isolated from the fungus.

As it causes strong muscular contractions, it has since been used medically to induce labour and to control haemmorrhaging.

This work spurred Hofmann to investigate what other applications the ergot alkaloids could be used for.

But his initial 1938 research into LSD was fruitless -- studies failed to show any effects on animals and he abandoned the approach.

It was five years later when Hofmann decided to go back to his previous work with LSD.

After inadvertently inhaling some vapours from synthesised LSD, Hofmann experienced an altered state of consciousness.

"On a Friday afternoon, April 16, 1943, while working in the laboratory, I was seized by a peculiar sensation of vertigo and restlessness," he said.

"Objects, as well as the shape of my associates in the laboratories, appeared to undergo optical changes."

"I was unable to concentrate on my work."

"In a dreamlike state, I left for home, where an irresistible urge to lie down and sleep overcame me."

"Light was so intense as to be unpleasant."

"I drew the curtains and immediately fell into a peculiar state of 'drunkenness', characterised by an exaggerated imagination."

"With my eyes closed, fantastic pictures of extraordinary plasticity and intensive colour seemed to surge towards me."

"After two hours, this state gradually subsided and I was able to eat dinner with a good appetite."

Three days later, Hofmann took the smallest possible dose of LSD -- 250 micrograms -- in an attempt to discover the exact action of the drug.

After taking the drug in the laboratory, he asked his assistant to help him cycle home.

"On the way home, my condition began to assume threatening forms."

"Everything in my field of vision wavered and was distorted as if seen in a curved mirror."

"I also had the sensation of being unable to move from the spot."

"Nevertheless, my assistant later told me that we had travelled very rapidly."

The dose wore off after six hours, thus ending the world's first LSD trip.

Hofmann's employers, Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, decided that the drug had potential in psychotherapy and began distributing the drug to therapists.

As a result, hundreds of papers were written by academics that detailed the use of LSD to treat a variety of disorders including addiction -- but all that research ended in the 1960s as the drug was banned around the world.

Although Hofmann worked extensively with psychedelics after the discovery of LSD, he was critical of the approach of Timothy Leary, an advocate for the liberal use of drugs.

He eventually encountered Leary in 1971 at the railway station buffet in Lausanne.

Hofmann expressed his regret that academic research into LSD had ended as a result of the controversy generated by figures such as Leary.

He also expressed doubts about the wisdom of encouraging young people to consume drugs.

“He maintained that I was unjustified in reproaching him for the seduction of immature persons to drug consumption."

According to Hofmann, Leary believed that American teenagers 'with regard to information and life experience, were comparable to adult Europeans' and were therefore equipped to make their own decisions.

After many decades of inactivity, the field of academic research into LSD has experienced a resurgence.

Hofmann had been due to speak at a recent conference in Basel, but ill-health prevented his attendance.

"[Albert and I] spoke on the phone the day after the Basel conference and he was happy and fulfilled," said Rick Doblin of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.

"He'd seen the renewal of LSD psychotherapy research with his own eyes, as had [his wife] Anita."

"I said that I looked forward to discussing the results of the study with him in about a year and a half and he laughed and said he'd try to help the research however he could, either from this side or 'the other side'."

He is survived by his three children with his wife Anita, who predeceased him in late 2007.

Dr Albert Hofmann: January 11th 1906 -- April 29th 2008.