Ig Nobels: 25 Of the most absurd studies ever awarded

The life of a researcher is a permanent quest, marked with several advances and equal doubts. A select few will receive Nobel Prizes to essentially crown their years of hard work for a discovery or behaviour that will change the world. Conversely, others inherit an Ig Nobel.

First of all, let’s define the Ig Nobel prize. Its name is a play on the words, ‘ignoble’ and ‘Nobel Prize’. It is awarded annually to scientists whose discoveries seem bizarre, funny or are completely absurd. Like the Razzies, this award recognizes the best of the worst. It highlights the unusual and sometimes the wild imagination of some researchers. The classic domains of the actual Nobel (physics, chemistry, peace, medicine, literature …), math, and other more unusual sectors (aviation, hygiene …) are honoured.

Ig Nobels are announced annually by the prestigious Harvard University in the United States for work of impeccable scientific quality. And the competition is tougher than you might think because much research is, or at least seem totally unnecessary and frivolous, but are made in the rules of art. Beyond the funny side of this selection, the goal of course is to stimulate public interest in science, medicine and technology.

Check out the gallery above for a small selection of prizes awarded in recent years that have sure caught our attention. Who knows, these may just form the basis for great discoveries in the future.