CERN: A Journey of Discovery Explore 71 years of global scientific collaboration and innovation.

CERN: A Journey of Discovery

Explore 71 years of global scientific collaboration and innovation.

A Vision for Peace and Science

Established on September 29, 1954, by 12 founding European governments, CERN's creation was a powerful, symbolic act for peace and shared intellectual endeavor in the immediate post-war era. The core aim was to pool resources and expertise to conduct cutting-edge research far beyond the capacity of individual national universities, uniting nations in the pursuit of knowledge.

Growth of a Global Collaboration

From its 12 original members, CERN has expanded significantly, becoming a truly global hub for particle physics. This chart illustrates the growth in member states, reflecting its success and the increasing importance of international scientific cooperation.

Founding Members

The original 12 member states laid the foundation for decades of discovery.

• Belgium
• Denmark
• France
• Germany (Fed. Rep.)
• Greece
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Yugoslavia

Probing the Universe's Secrets

CERN has flourished into the world's largest particle physics laboratory. Its most famous instrument, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), is a definitive testament to the continued spirit of international collaboration. This 27-kilometre ring of superconducting magnets allows thousands of scientists to probe the most fundamental building blocks of matter.

Discovery of the Higgs Boson (2012)

The organization's most celebrated achievement in recent history was the discovery of the Higgs boson, a key component of the Standard Model of particle physics. This breakthrough highlighted the power of uniting diverse international talent and massive resources.

The Higgs boson is an elementary particle that gives other fundamental particles, like electrons and quarks, their mass. Its existence was predicted theoretically in the 1960s, but it took the immense power of the LHC and a global collaborative effort to finally observe it. This discovery completed the Standard Model of particle physics, our best description of the fundamental particles and forces that make up the universe.

Innovation Beyond Collision

CERN’s profound influence extends far beyond particle collisions. The organization's commitment to open science and information sharing has led to technological revolutions that have reshaped the modern world, demonstrating how fundamental research can yield transformative practical applications.

Invention of the World Wide Web

In 1989, CERN scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee sought a better way for researchers to share information instantly. His solution, the World Wide Web, was born from this need for seamless collaboration.

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A New Protocol

He invented HTTP, HTML, and the first web browser.

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A Gift to the World

CERN made the underlying technology freely available.

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Information Revolution

This decision irrevocably fueled global connectivity.

Today, with 23 Member States, CERN remains an unparalleled model for constructive international cooperation, driving scientific breakthroughs and technological innovation.