BERLIN — This year's Nobel Prize winners experienced a range of surprising moments as they learned about their prestigious awards. Many got the news at unexpected times, from early morning knocks on the door to long-awaited phone calls, highlighting the diverse experiences of those honored for their life-changing contributions to science and literature.
For some, the news came directly at dawn. Mary E. Brunkow, one of the recipients of this year’s medicine prize, was startled awake by her dog, leading her husband to break the momentous news before sunrise. Don’t be ridiculous, was her initial reaction before realizing the truth of her husband's declaration regarding her shared achievement with two other scientists.
While Brunkow’s award made its way to her door, others found out in more traditional ways. For instance, Fred Ramsdell was on a camping trip without cell service and only learned of his award after his wife revealed a flood of congratulatory messages on her phone. Subsequent conversations and interviews conducted while in transit revealed his disbelief. No, I didn’t, he replied in shock, highlighting the unexpected nature of the announcement.
The Nobel Prize winners in physics, John Martinis, Michel Devoret, and John Clarke, were also met with surprise as they were informed about their award for contributions to quantum technology. Martinis' wife had humorously delayed waking him until just before the official announcement; she had decided it was too early for such news, but eventually led him to discovery.
A call from Sweden only served to heighten intrigue, as some winners were skeptical upon receiving notifications from unfamiliar numbers. Chemistry winner Susumu Kitagawa initially brushed off the call as another telemarketing effort before realizing the life-changing nature of the conversation.
With the literature prize announcements upcoming, there remains anticipation for how the remaining winners will receive their good news. The stories of celebration and disbelief mark yet another chapter in Nobel history, underscoring how remarkable achievements can reach individuals in delightfully unpredictable ways.
