Places of ‘Invention and Discovery’ and the Nobel Prize in Physics

• Published in: Notes and records of the Royal Society of London Vol. 75; no. 3; pp. 439 - 460
• Main Author: Orrman-Rossiter, Kevin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 20.09.2021
• ISSN: 0035-9149; 1743-0178
• DOI: 10.1098/rsnr.2020.0014

The Nobel Prize has acted as a surrogate record of invention and discovery throughout the twentieth century. Based on this surrogacy, many claims are made regarding both trends in research and claims for places of research excellence. In this paper I propose that any analysis should be weighted by the ‘prize share’ made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to each recipient. In addition, I argue for a focus on the organization and period when the prize-winning research was carried out, rather than when the award was made and the often quoted ‘affiliated organization at the time of award’. I use this to briefly examine types of invention and discovery for all Nobel Prizes in Physics awarded to date (1901–2019). I then use this ‘place’ lens to briefly explore trends in invention and discovery in the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Physics. I conclude by drawing attention to the difference between institutions claiming Nobel Laureates and institutions where Nobel Prize-winning discoveries and inventions have been made.