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

There is absolutely no doubt that, even though trophy that was awarded to winners of an Olympic games event was a laurel wreath, the esteem where it had been held was as great, and 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 note 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 even greater significance begun to become standard.

Vases filled up with precious 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, silver cups were given 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 through 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 made 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 where they might be held by the local community. Indeed, it had been not unusual for the winners of the events to eventually achieve even greater standing with the award of land.

custom awards atlanta have become a standard thread throughout human history and trophies have grown to be 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 designed for the purpose.

Sporting achievements have also been a common thread in our history where trophies have been held in the best esteem. Horse racing is synonymous with this particular 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 span of human history, but one thing is certain. Trophies will continue steadily to play their part in the recognition of human achievements whether in the corporate sphere or on the sports field.