Sommerfeld Memes

Arnold Sommerfeld holds the unfortunate record of being nominated for the Nobel Prize 84 times without ever winning—the most nominations in history without a victory. Meanwhile, there are 83 nominations that actually resulted in someone taking home the prize. Imagine being that close to immortality 84 separate times and still ending up empty-handed. It's like being the perpetual bridesmaid at the world's most prestigious wedding. The guy contributed massively to atomic and quantum physics, mentored numerous Nobel laureates (including Pauli and Heisenberg), and yet the committee kept swiping left. Sometimes the universe just has a cruel sense of humor.