What are the historical origins of barbituric acid, barbital, and phenobarbital?

The development of barbiturates as central nervous system (CNS) active medicines began in the mid-19th century.

Barbituric acid (malonylurea): Synthesized in 1864 by the German chemist and Nobel Prize winner Adolf von Baeyer. While it had no specific CNS effects, it led to the development of CNS-active barbiturates.

Barbital (5,5-diethylbarbituric acid): Discovered in 1903 by German chemist and Nobel Laureate Emil Fischer and his collaborator Joseph von Mering. It was introduced to the market as Veronal by the Bayer company in 1904 as a hypnotic and sedative drug.

Phenobarbital (5-ethyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid): Discovered in 1911 by Emil Fischer and Joseph von Mering. It was introduced to the market as Luminal by the Bayer company in 1904 as a hypnotic and sedative drug, and its antiepileptic effects were discovered by Alfred Hauptmann in 1912.