One could argue that the 1984 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of the W and Z Bosons, given to Carlo Rubbia, was more for his leadership of the UA1 Coll

One could argue that the 1984 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of the W and Z Bosons, given to Carlo Rubbia, was more for his leadership of the UA1 Collaboration at CERN. His co-winner, van der Meers, actually developed the technology to make colliding protons and anti-protons possible. The theory behind the W and Z was already given a Nobel Prize in 1979. EDIT: Rubbia is an interesting character in himself that some have said was a bit of an egomaniac and obsessed with getting a Nobel prize for himself. For a highly entertaining biography on him, as well as a look into the academic politics of a place like CERN, I recommend "Nobel Dreams" by Gary Taubes.