Background
The supposed cause is unknown, although it may be linked to his mother suffering a major injury a few days prior to his birth.
The supposed cause is unknown, although it may be linked to his mother suffering a major injury a few days prior to his birth.
Al Herpin, who lived in Trenton, New Jersey, claimed to have developed a rare case of insomnia, whereby he could not sleep. In the late 1940s, Al Herpin's claim attracted the attention of several medical professionals. Inspecting his house they found no bed, or other sleep-related furniture, but only a rocking chair.
Herpin claimed that after a long day's work, he would rest in his rocking chair reading the newspaper until dawn, then return to work. A piece in the New York Times on February 29, 1904, reported that:
Death came today for Alfred E. Herpin, a recluse who lived on the outskirts of the city and insisted that he never slept. He was 94 years old and, when questioned concerning his claim of "sleeplessness", maintained that he never actually dozed but merely "rested".
No other person with total insomnia has lived for such a long period of time. It was likely that he died for other reasons, not sleep deprivation, as his insomnia did not seem to have any effect on his health.
He was in good health, and had a constant level of high awareness, defying all scientific understanding of the necessity for sleep.