Prizes and Awards in Science before Nobel (original) (raw)

This paper explores the evolution of prize systems in the history of science prior to the establishment of the Nobel Prize, highlighting the cultural and competitive aspects of scientific recognition. The authors analyze various case studies from classical antiquity to the early modern period, demonstrating how scientific honors, such as eponyms and medals, reflected the tension between disinterested scholarly pursuit and the desire for public acknowledgment. The study concludes that while the recognition of extraordinary achievements is crucial, various cultural and contingent motivations have historically influenced the awarding of scientific prizes.