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The History of Awards and Trophies

 Corporate awards might be something that have only sprung up in relatively recent times, but trophies and awards in general have already been around for a large number of years. https://mikestrophies.net/acrylic-awards-trophies/ of instances where trophies have already been an important section of human culture may be the Olympic Games. There is no doubt that, although the trophy that was awarded to winners of an Olympic games event was a laurel wreath, the esteem where it was held was as great, and maybe even higher than, the gold medal awarded for exactly the same events today. It is simply undeniable that awards and trophies which have been presented to winners throughout history 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 types of trophies awarded to winners as time passes. As stated 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 up with precious olive oil were presented to winners in the early days of the Olympic Games and also later, vases on tripods and bronze shields soon became the typical. Later again, silver cups received as an indicator of the prestige which individual achievements were held. In ancient Roman times the awards took on even greater 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 that have been held in England in the Middle Ages rewarded winners with chalices created from precious metals. Archers would compete for prestigious events hosted by members of the royal family or local lords exclusively for the recognition it accorded them and the esteem in which they would be held by the neighborhood community. Indeed, it was not unusual for the winners of these events to eventually achieve even greater standing with the award of land. Symbolic gestures have grown to be a standard thread throughout human history and trophies have become a vital part, not just in Western culture however 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 specifically for the purpose. Sporting achievements are also a common thread in our history where trophies have already been held in the highest 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 known 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 in our lives ebb and flow with the course of human history, but one thing is certain. Trophies will continue steadily to play their part in the recognition of human achievements whether it be in the corporate sphere or on the sports field.

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