The first annual Backfire Awards · Spring 2027

A brilliant idea. A spectacular backfire.

—days to the first awards

The calendar

Launching November 2, 2026

Nominations open at launch. Through the winter, judges score and readers vote. The first Midgleys and Murphys are handed out in spring 2027.

There is no ballroom. The red carpet runs online: here, in The Weekly Oops and on our social accounts. Every winner is honored, and roasted a little, which is the point.

Nominate

Meet the Backfire · Lead

The Backfire statuette in lead: a rocket that loops up and turns back on itself, on a round base

The Midgley

Cast in lead, for backfires at world scale.

Meet the Backfire · Silver

The Backfire statuette in silver

The Murphy

In silver, for everyday backfires.

Meet the Backfire · Bronze

The Backfire statuette in bronze

People's Choice

In bronze, for the nominee readers pick.

A bronze figure of Thomas Midgley Jr. under a glass dome. The plaque reads: The Midgley. Contains lead. In case of emergency, do not break glass.

The Lifetime Midgley

Contains lead

Given once, to Thomas Midgley Jr. The plaque reads: in case of emergency, do not break glass.

His story