History of Trophies Through Time

By John P Peterson
Today trophies are awarded for a range of reasons; from academic achievement, sporting events and to recognise employers or employees. A trophy is a sign of recognition for the recipient and something they can keep as a permanent reminder. They can be inexpensive, made from plastic and wood given to every participant in your child's soccer team, or they can also be a treasure to truly aspire to, such as an Olympic medal or something that has been passed down over many years, like the America's Cup, a sailing trophy.
The history of trophies extends back to ancient times. Derived from the French word 'trophee' in 1513, which means "a spoil or prize of war", trophies also date back to ancient Greece. Through victory in battle the Greeks would create trophies from ...