Prizes and Awards in Science before Nobel

There is little doubt that the Nobel Prize has since the early 20th century represented by far the most important recognition a scientist can receive; the universal prestige of the Nobel Prize has overshadowed numerous attempts to award a varied typology of prizes to creative scientists and inventors, a practice that has existed since classical antiquity. It took a long time before a relatively standardized prize system became widely accepted, but the competitive nature of science showed the importance of public recognition at a very early stage. Thanks to the exploration of different ways of calling attention to the outstanding achievements and professional reputation of the natural philosopher, his cultural authority progressively gained social prestige. The first marks of the recognition of achievements in science and technology can be found in classical antiquity, an epoch in which celebrated military heroes, philosophers, poets and athletes, as well as distinguished citizens, were awarded with crowns, garlands and other material emblems of victory. Science and technology were not excluded from this highly competitive system and they were soon acknowledged with the introduction of eponyms (Beretta), honors and awards (Taub), and financial compensation and patronage (Cuomo). The exceptional reputation enjoyed by eminent natural philosophers inspired a vast array of forms of recognition, such as public portraits, monuments and medals, which would later be incorporated into the scientific culture of the Renaissance.