Henry Dale's Nobel Prize winning 'Discovery'

A particular model of scientific achievement is embedded within the Nobel Prize, one that privileges the scientific `loner', who achieves a distinct discovery at a particular moment in time. A common criticism of this `individualistic' story of achievement is that it obscures the social and cultural factors in scientific discovery. A collective story, highlighting the role of social relations and scientific milieux, may offer more explanatory power in accounting for scientific discoveries and inventions. This paper explores the process by which Henry Dale became recognized as the discoverer of the chemical transmission of nerve impulses. It compares the explanatory power of the story of individual creativity with a story that highlights the interaction between a scientist and his environment.