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Methamphetamine (aka meth) was first synthesized in Japan in 1893 by Nagayoshi Nagai. In 1919, crystallized methamphetamine (aka crystal meth) was synthesized by Akira Ogata. A related chamical, amphetamine, was first synthesized in Germany in 1887 by Lazăr Edeleanu.
As to the Nazis, they indeed used methamphetamine during World War II under the trade name Pervitin to enhance troops' (especially commandos', pilots', and tank crews') resistance to fatigue. In addition to pills, meth was also added to chocolates, which were popularly known as Fliegerschokolade ("flyer's chocolate") or Panzerschokolade ("tanker's chocolate").
Adolf Hitler received daily intravenous injections of methamphetamine since 1942 to help him overcome depression and fatigue. Some say that injections were to treat Hitler's Parkinson's disease, others, that his Parkinson's-like symptoms were in fact caused by abuse of methamphetamine.
Last edited by elbert; 08/15/08 11:17 AM.