Amphetamine, which was the predecessor to methamphetamine and originally called phenylisopropylamine, was first synthesized in 1887 by the German chemist L. Edeleano.  It was used for among other ailments, respiratory complications such as asthma and nasal congestion.  The stimulant properties of amphetamine were recognized immediately and led to additional medical and functional applications in which more potent forms of the drug were developed.

In 1919, Japanese chemist A. Ogata first synthesized methamphetamine via the reduction of ephedrine using red phosphorus and iodine.  In 1929, methamphetamine was synthesized by Gordon A. Alles, who began producing it for medical purposes in his California lab.  Smith, Kline & French subsequently filed two trademarks (1932) on the trade-name “Benzedrine.” By 1935, Benzedrine was available by prescription in tablet form and designed to "stimulate the nervous system,” and in another form as a decongestant inhaler.  Also by 1935, physicians are now using tablets of amphetamine to treat narcolepsy.  Glaxo, Smith Kline is still the big distributor of "Dextroamphetamine" for the military, and related stimulants like Adderall for treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

By 1937 amphetamine was approved by the American Medical Association.  It was made available prescription in tablet form and as we said previously, used to treat narcolepsy (called "napsy" at the time) and the behavioral syndrome called minimal brain dysfunction (MBD), which we know today as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).  It was also recommended for use by physicians to treat their own "fatigue."  There were about 30 other conditions the drug was cited as being effective for. 

1938 is the year that there was the first public report of amphetamine "addiction."  Also in that same year, the first report surfaced of amphetamine-related "psychosis."

In 1940 methamphetamine is marketed under the trade name 'Methedrine' by Burroughs Wellcome.

The First " War On Drugs"?

During World War II, soldiers in all the forces (Allied and Axis) were given liberal amounts of speed.  Pilots, tank drivers and infantry used (Dexedrine) and methamphetamine (Methedrine) to stay awake for long periods of time and "enhance" their level of courage and bravado.  (see "Meth In The Military")  Almost 72 million tablets were provided to British forces alone (and an estimated 200 million tablets to US forces), prompting a London newspaper in 1941 to carry the bizarre headline "Methedrine Wins The Battle Of London". After World War II ended, there were huge stockpiles of methamphetamine left over in Japan, and this lead to that country's first major drug epidemic.  Of course the difference was that the methamphetamine in Japan was

manufactured under consistent and regimented lab procedures and the rendered product didn't contain many of the adulterants used to produce meth today.  That notwithstanding, many feel the Japanese meth was the purest form ever produced to that date.  During the war years, benzedrine was also used to "cure" alcoholism and the price of a benzedrine inhaler cost under forty cents.

Post WWII - Society "Speeds" Up

In the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, amphetamine and methamphetamine were viewed as “utilitarian drugs” that working-class and upper middle-class individuals would use to increase their energy and to meet performance and endurance goals.  In about 1955 the first reports of students using "lift pills" on a college campus were made public, so not much has changed in half a century because it's still an issue on college campuses today. Truckers were particularly big users of amphetamines for doing "long-hauls" and amphetamine use was also popular with women to curb their appetite and reduce weight.  By the year 1958, production of tablets was in the billions per year, as it became popular for treating mild forms of depression.

From 1950 - 1953, the U.S. dispensed amphetamine to troops in Korea during the "police action" (read "war") there.  By 1954, we see the peak of the Japanese amphetamine epidemic. At that time, the government estimated that out of a population of 88.5 million, there are well over 2 million amphetamine users.

First Injection Of Amphetamine

It's thought that around 1958 or 1959, the first instance of the contents of a benzedrine inhaler being injected was reported.  1959 saw the over-the-counter benzedrine inhalers taken off the market and in 1960, the "safer" over-the-counter inhaler was released.    Approximately two years later in 1962, we first hear of biker gangs in California becoming involved, both using and selling it.  Some contend that this is why speed was known as "crank," because the bikers used to transport it in the crankcases of their bikes.

Also during the 1960's, various forms of speed start being used by the "Mods" and the "Rockers."  The Mods and Rockers were two British youth subcultures that arose during that time who were completely opposite from each other in every way.  The Rockers were still clinging on to the Marlon Brando, Gene Vincent tough-guy 1950's image, while the Mods fully embraced the sophisticated and enlightened new image of the 1960's.

As a result, there were legendary physical conflicts between the two groups and what better way to fuel that than with various forms of amphetamines?  Dexedrine, or "dexies," Durophet, or "Blackbombers," and Drinamyl, or "purple hearts" were all immensely popular among these groups.

By 1963, when injectable forms of speed are increasingly being abused, steps are taken to restrict use.  As a result, diversion, illicit production and black markets begin.  So by 1965, amendments were made to the Federal food and drug laws in the U.S. to curb the black market in amphetamines.  As a result, over-the-counter meth inhalers are removed and now require a prescription.  Other products containing amphetamines were removed from the market and those that were still available were prescribed by most doctors with much greater discretion and caution.  Subsequently, it becomes illegal to import or possess non-prescribed amphetamines.

From 1966 to 1969, the U.S. Army dispenses more amphetamine to its troops than the combined total of British and American forces during the entire Second World War.  As one veteran of Vietnam put it, "take a 100 non-aggressive men and give them all enough speed and you end up with the equivalent of 150 men that'll kill anything that moves and if they have to, they'll kill it with their bare hands."

During the 1970's taking and injecting amphetamine recreationally is huge among three sub-culture groups all who become branded as "speed freaks."  ("'Hippies" "'Northern Souls" and "'Punks.")   Amphetamines become illegal in US with the passage of the 'U.S. Drug Abuse Regulation and Control Act of 1970.  And despite discretion and caution by physicians, by 1970, over 10 billion tablets of amphetamines or methamphetamine were produced and distributed.

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