The Nobel Museum opened in Stockholm in 2001 to mark the centennial of the Nobel Prizes. Museum designers stocked the cafe, called the Kafe Satir, with chairs designed after models found in fin-de-siecle Vienna. Every year, the new class of Nobel Laureates sweeps in to town. Part of their orientation now occurs at the Museum. In a lovely tradition, Laureates are asked to sign the underside of the chairs in bold silver ink. Prize winners from previous years are also asked to sign chairs, whenever they breeze through Stockholm.

I turned over several chairs, curious to see who had visited and if I had interviewed any of them in research for my book. I can't recall how many filled the latter category, because the last chair I picked up read, "Bill Clinton," with the date May 12, 2001. A museum staffer said he also left his name in the Men's room, but I didn't venture in to see it.

Many people lobby for Nobel prizes. Some who lobby get them. None other than the 42nd President have signed a chair.