The Trophy And Its Long Standing Tradition

By Author: Bruce Munro
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The idea of honoring another for their achievement is ancient. Today we give people tokens for their achievements, typically in the form of what we call a trophy. But what does the word trophy mean and how long has it been used?

As far as historians can determine, the word trophy was derived from the French trophee in 1513, meaning "a spoil or prize of war." History also shows that in ancient Greece, trophies were given out for victories in war. Some trophies were made up right on the battlefield and could include the enemies captured arms and standards. These items were hung upon a tree or a large stake made to resemble the figure of a warrior. Because of the belief in gods, many trophies were dedicated to the god or gods and inscribed with details of the battle. Naval trophies consisted of entire ships (or what remained of them) laid out on the nearest beach to represent the conquest. The deliberate destruction of a trophy was considered a sacrilege since it was given in thanks and tribute to a god.

Many other Roman trophies included columns and arches atop foundations. These so called trophies still remain ...
... and appear as huge stone memorials. Other trophies were destroyed by other cultures due to the 'paganism' they represented.

Today trophies are much more common and less expensive to create. Few trophies are large monoliths but are instead made of plastic, metal, marble or wood. A trophies design varies according to the manufacture or type of trophy.

How is a trophy built? Most are not made up of one piece but are instead broken into several components. An assembler then chooses individual components to make the trophy. First there is the base upon which the entire trophy sits. This is often plastic made to look like marble or wood. Bases are generally categorized as crescent, sculpted, tiered, or a specialty form. Next comes the column or columns. These are the vertical piece or pieces on which the figurine may rest, or they may hold yet another tier upon which the figurine sits. These are often plain metal, imitation marble, or holographs. Next comes the riser, a small, decorative element that sits upon the base and between the columns. The riser may indicate the recipient's position: first, second or third. Some trophies have another tier atop the columns upon. Finally, on top of everything, comes the figurine.

One large trophy manufacturer describes their design process as four-part: talking to customers, brainstorming new ideas, producing the idea visually or physically, and then executing some models for testing.

Once a manufacturers committee approves a concept, the steel tool-and-die department creates the die for the new plastic part. If the part is a not tooled, like a Mylar plinth or plaque, then a flat die is used. The appropriate material is chosen for the component based upon durability and its intended function (e.g., support or decoration) on the trophy. The new design is then carefully assessed by a committee that scrutinizes it for design aesthetic, manufacturing difficulty, tooling needs, durability, and decoration. If there is a problem in any of these areas, the part is returned for reassessment. Of particular concern is ease of manufacturing. Reassessment and adjustments may take up to four weeks alone. Once final approval is received, the new part is ready for mass-production.

There many historically known and well sought after trophies in the world. For football there is the FA Cup, The Scottish Cup, Premier League Trophy, FIFA World Cup Trophy and the European Champion Clubs' Cup.

For tennis there are: Wimbledon tennis trophies - although having no formal name, a cup is presented to the Wimbledon Men's (Gentlemen's) Singles Champion (The All England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Champion of the World, as stated on the cup itself). The women's (Ladies) Singles winner is presented with the Venus Rosewater Dish. Other trophies are presented to the winners of the Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

In motor sports you have the Borg-Warner Trophy. In Rugby, the Challenge Cup and in the Rugby Union there is the Webb Ellis Cup, Bledisloe Cup and Calcutta Cup .

For American Sports there are hundreds of trophies. The most popular and outstanding are the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the NCAA's Most Valuable Player in College Football. There is the BCS Trophy, which is awarded to College Football's National Champion; Stanley Cup - Awarded to the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup Champion; Commissioner's Trophy - Awarded to Major League Baseball's World Series Champion; Vince Lombardi Trophy - Awarded to the National Football League's Super Bowl Champion; Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy - Awarded to the National Basketball Association's World Champion and many more.

A trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and usually afterwards serves as proof of merit. Often, the reward of the trophy is not simply in winning it; rather, those who win it cherish the legacy that also comes with the trophy.
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Able Trophies is a leader in online awards including employee awards and crystal globe gifts. Visit us online at http://www.abletrophies.com/ for a large line of difference choices to fit any occasion.