Asimov Press

How Nature Became a 'Prestige' Journal

Asimov Press

Show Notes

Since launching in 1869, Nature has evolved from a periodical offering commentary on pigeons to the prestige journal in science. But how did Nature build its reputation, and can it last? By Robert Reason. Read all of our work, entirely for free, at press.asimov.com.

More from Asimov Press

Oct 19, 2026

By breaking cells apart, all the way down to molecules, researchers hope to recreate the recipe from which they are built. But their efforts may prove futile. The latest essay from our ongoing book, "Biology is a Burrito," by Niko McCarty. Read all our work, entirely for free, at press.asimov.com.

Oct 12, 2026

A bacterium can acquire new genes without acquiring a new name, or acquire a new name without changing whatsoever. By Kevin Blake Read all our work at press.asimov.com

Sep 28, 2026

Two of biology’s greatest theories completely predate direct experimental evidence. Tracing their origins could help us understand how to make the next ones.

Sep 24, 2026

Biology is often seen as a primarily experimental science, with theory serving merely to generalize patterns from empirical data. But history reveals that theory plays a more generative role in the process of biological discovery itself.

Apr 7, 2026

How computer scientists on the fringes of biology made sense of sequencing data. By Ella Watkins-Dulaney.

See all episodes →