The History of Awards and Trophies

Corporate awards may be a thing that have only sprung up in relatively recent years, but trophies and awards generally have already been around for a large number of years. Decreasing example of instances where trophies have already been an important section of human culture may be the Olympic Games.

There is absolutely no doubt that, although the trophy which was awarded to winners of an Olympic games event was a laurel wreath, the esteem where it was held was as great, or maybe even greater than, the gold medal awarded for exactly the same events today. It really is simply undeniable that awards and trophies which were presented to winners throughout human history certainly are a demonstration of the importance that individual or group recognition plays in the human psyche.

It is interesting to notice the development in the forms of trophies awarded to winners over time. As mentioned above, laurel wreaths were the initial trophies ever awarded at the Olympic Games but as time passed awards of sustained significance began to become standard.

Vases filled with precious essential olive oil were presented to winners in the first days of the Olympic Games and also later, vases on tripods and bronze shields soon became the typical. Later again,  engraved labels for electrical panels  received as a sign of the prestige which individual achievements were held.

In ancient Roman times the awards took on sustained significance when money replaced trophies, especially in gladiatorial contests. However the recognition of achievement were still maintained by way of perpetual trophies handed from winner to win with each passing event.

Even sporting events which were held in England in the Middle Ages rewarded winners with chalices created from gold and silver coins. Archers would compete for prestigious events hosted by members of the royal family or local lords simply for the recognition it accorded them and the esteem in which they would be held by the local community. Indeed, it had been not unusual for the winners of these events to eventually achieve sustained standing with the award of land.

Symbolic gestures have become a common thread throughout history and trophies have become a vital part, not just in Western culture but in many other countries all over the world as well.

Ancient Chinese records show that superior achievements on the battlefield were rewarded with medals awarded by the Emperor and in the Mayan culture high achievements were publicly recognised in ceremonies designed designed for the purpose.

Sporting achievements have also been a common thread inside our history where trophies have been held in the best esteem. Horse racing is synonymous with this and the history dates back to the 1600s in the Americas in which a small silver cup, later to become referred to as the Kyp Cup, was awarded to the winner of a horse race between two towns in New England.

As time passes a lot of things change and the values inside our lives ebb and flow with the course of human history, but one thing is for certain. Trophies will continue to play their part in the recognition of human achievements whether in the organization sphere or on the sports field.