Neurochemical transmission accounts for the majority of information transfer both in the central and peripheral nervous system. The initial findings centred around the experimental work of the two Nobel Prize winners Sir Henry H. Dale and Otto Loewi as well as Wilhelm Feldberg. Their historical findings opened the door to further investigations and extended the list of neurotransmitters to many others such as amino acids, peptides, purines and nitric oxide. In the first part, the publication provides fascinating insights into the life of the three scientists. Their personality and scientific approach are presented through autobiographical sketches and personal memories by authors. Various comments and details of the atmosphere in the laboratory complete the picture of the conditions at the time. The second part is dedicated to the history of the substances, such as neurotransmitters, their antagonists and analogues. The stories of these substances are presented to the reader in a succinct way, including many anecdotes and unusual events on the way to their therapeutic application. (A Karger "Publishing Highlights 1890–2015" title)