From childhood sports to major leagues across the world, trophies have been a part of history for a very long time.
According to the National Hockey League (NHL) the Stanley Cup is the oldest existing trophy to be awarded to a sports franchise. Commissioned in 1892 as the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, it’s named for Lord Stanley of Preston from Canada
Outside of sports, trophies long served as a symbol of success and achievement. Here’s a quick look at the role trophies have played throughout history.
Ancient Chalices and Silver Cups
Among history’s most notable awards are those of the Olympic games in Greece. Winners of these games usually received a laurel wreath but those in local games received different types of awards, including a tripod vase, a bronze shield or a silver cup. In the 1600s, chalices were awarded to winners at sporting events. Most of these ancient trophies were made of silver, gold or bronze. Nowadays, most trophies are made out of less expensive materials. Regardless of its material, a trophy is still an iconic symbol of victory, valor, and skill.
Ancient War Trophies in Greece and Rome
In ancient Greek and Roman times, war trophies were common. However, these trophies aren’t like modern award trophies. Stemming from the Greek word tropaion, a trophy was a war memorial assembled from items taken from the battlefield. Rome also displayed cultural objects taken from war back home to claim victory.
Professional Trophy Awards in 2020
For the past century, or just about, we have seen professional trophies become the new normal. A few iconic awards like the Academy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and the Grammys all use trophies as a recognition piece people aspire to obtain. These prestigious awards have symbolic award trophies that anyone can recognize at first glance. Aside from respected award ceremonies, trophies also have a place in the workplace. Annual employee recognition events are becoming increasingly popular in corporate America.
Award Trophies for Recognizing Excellence in the Workplace
Acrylic awards and award plaques are all a staple in employee awarding events. If you want a more unique recognition award, you should consider giving out personalized award trophies. Aside from the classic trophy cup, you can also go for more unique figurine trophies that feature a sculptural piece. Trophies aren’t just for sporting events and they definitely have a place in employee recognition. At their core, trophies symbolize hard work, ambition, and success. That’s exactly why engraved trophies can be a great token for corporate achievements.
