Special issue on CERN

Abstract

On the occasion of the 60th birthday of CERN, this short introduction sets the stage for the special issue by framing CERN as one of the most successful scientific collaborations of modern times. The article draws lines back to  the visions after WW2 to unite European nuclear research to forward peace and shows how this ambition materialized into the world's leading particle physics laboratory.  The author finds it of special interest how the organizational and political aspects were as decisive in the creation of CERN as the expected technological and scientific  breakthroughs. The text invites to reflection on how "big science" is created and continued in a scientific collaboration. At the same time, it reminds us that future breakthroughs require the same level of international coordination and long investments.