Fabricating scientific success stories

Abstract

By the end of the 1980s science stories had once again taken on the positive tone of the 1960s. Based empirically on the discovery of high-temperature superconductivity which occurred in the IBM laboratory in Zurich in 1986. this paper presents a detailed comparative analysis of how the press reported in both the US and German-speaking countries. In the American press a strong story full of fancy details was developed over a long period of time. showing clearly the importance of national context for the creation of a public image of science. The paper identifies the six major ingredients which, in the US case, allowed the construction of this scientific success story: political and economic interest; the flair of `little' science; the presence of hero scientists; the possibility of staging an international race; the absence of obvious risk; and, finally, the story's role as a counterbalance to political dissatisfaction. The more of these conditions that are relevant in a particular national context, the easier it is to sustain the story over a longer period of time, and thus to shape a positive public image of this research.