The Value of Connection: Nobel Prize and the Copier
Last summer, my wife and I visited the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden. As we wandered through the exhibits, a small replica of a copy machine in a glass case caught my eye. Having spent the past 18 years working in the copier industry, I was intrigued—and a bit surprised—to see a piece of office equipment featured alongside models of DNA molecules and dynamite.
Curious, I approached the display and learned the fascinating story behind it. The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine had been awarded to two Hungarian scientists, Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó, for their groundbreaking work that led to the invention of mRNA technology. What truly struck me was the unexpected role a copy machine played in their collaboration.
In the late 1990s, Karikó and Weissman met at the University of Pennsylvania—while photocopying documents. Karikó didn’t have access to a closer copier, so she ventured to Weissman’s building to use one. While waiting for their copies, the two struck up a conversation about their research. That chance encounter sparked a partnership that would eventually revolutionize medicine.
To honor this serendipitous meeting, Weissman donated a 3D-printed replica of the copy machine to the Nobel Prize Museum. It stands as a symbol of how mundane moments—like making copies—can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
The Mythology of the Copy Room
The story of chance meetings in copy rooms is almost legendary. Whether it’s brainstorming the next big idea, sharing a laugh, or even sparking a romance, these small, unplanned moments have long been a part of our cultural fabric.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the workplace dramatically. Remote work became the norm, and technologies like video conferencing and instant messaging replaced in-person interactions. While these tools have made collaboration possible across distances, they’ve also reduced the kind of spontaneous, face-to-face connections that often lead to creative breakthroughs or lasting relationships.
This raises a thought-provoking question: As workplaces evolve and physical offices become less central, are we losing opportunities for those serendipitous moments that spark innovation, friendship, or even love?
Connection in a Digital World
I don’t have all the answers. However, an idea I will offer is that humans seem to work best when they are connected to each other, and I do not believe this will change even as the sophistication of technological tools increases to the point of unnoticeable mimicry of human features. There is something about looking someone in the eyes, feeling their presence, and sharing a laugh or smile. I don’t know if you can "copy" that.
At Coastal Copy, we’ve seen firsthand how important it is to create spaces that foster collaboration and connection. Whether it’s a school, a small business, or a bustling office, copiers and printers remain at the heart of many workplaces—not just as tools for productivity but as hubs for human interaction.
So, the next time you’re waiting for a print job or grabbing a document from the copier, take a moment to look around. You never know what kind of connection might be waiting for you. After all, even a simple copy machine can be the starting point for something extraordinary.