Swiss Stories

Electric trucks

Electric trucks herald breakthrough in electromobility

Environment
Environment-friendly electromobility solutions with increased battery capacity from Switzerland are sending a clear signal to the logistics industry.

by John Durham

Albert Hofmann with a model of the LSD molecule in the early 1950s © Novartis corporate archive

The Swiss beginnings of LSD

History
In a stroke of serendipity 80 years ago, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann (1906–2008) discovered the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide – otherwise known as LSD. Initially this new hallucinogen was explored by Western scientists for its therapeutic potential. But LSD soon found its way out of the lab and into the world of recreational use by the counterculture movement. From the late 1960s it started to be banned, putting a halt to medical research in psychedelic substances. Since the 1990s, however, clinical studies of LSD have gradually resumed in some countries, including Switzerland.
coffee

8 Swiss inventions

Science & Education
Chemists and scientists from all walks of life have used their Swiss pragmatism over and over again to turn out inventions that have changed the world forever.
Dimitri Burkhard

by Dimitri Burkhard

swiss costumes

Swiss traditional dress – a patchwork of Switzerland's history

History
Switzerland's national costumes are a symbol of centuries-old tradition, their richness reflecting the country's geographical and social diversity as well as its interactions with neighbouring countries.
Alan Roura

A Vendée for Switzerland

Society
In 2016, I will be the only Swiss sailor at the starting line of the Vendée Globe, the legendary round-the-world single-handed yacht race. For three months, I will be our country’s proud ambassador among the world’s best sailors as we cross the oceans and round the three major capes – Good Hope, Leeuwin and Horn.
Marc Mussler

Young Swiss tattoo artists

Society
Following up on our article on the pioneers who shaped the world of tattooing before the internet age, we now portray the new generation of tattoo artists who continue to make Switzerland a trend-setter in this field.

by Vanessa Hambaryan

paul grueninger

The police commander who saved hundreds of Jews

History
As Jewish refugees attempted to flee from Austria to Switzerland, Paul Grüninger, commander of the St Gallen police, disobeyed orders in order to help them. He would pay dearly for it.