A friend and fellow lithographer, Garry Bordonaro, sent me a quote he had heard describing lithography:

“Photolithography is a mysterious mix of time-honored ingredients, chaotic chemistry, humble patience, and blind faith.”

I love it! Though I think there is more than a bit of science that gets thrown in as well, this description matches much of my experience over the last 25 years. Garry also thought that the quote was stolen from a beer label (how fitting!), so I did a little research. Sure enough, the essence of this quote can be found on some beers produced by the Magic Hat Brewing Company (www.magichat.net) of South Burlington, VT:

“The ancient ritual of brewing a distinctly rich and flavorful beer is nothing short of magic. Our mysterious mix of time-honored ingredients, chaotic chemistry, humble patience, and blind faith age into the secret brew we share in the rousing company of good spirits.”

Since I have shared both beer and lithography in the rousing company of good spirits, I find that I just can’t escape the beer-lithography connection.