modelling a hypothetical chain of many small physical-chemical steps that leads to the genetic apparatus. Some steps are of particular significance, such as the step initiating the transition from a multiplication and translation apparatus into a multiplication, transcription and translation apparatus.H. Kuhn: "Model consideration for the origin of life. Environmental structure as stimulus for the evolution of chemical systems", Naturwissenschaften 63:68–80 (1976)H. Kuhn, J. Waser: "A model of the origin of life and perspectives in supramolecular engineering" in: J.-P.Behr (editor): "Lock-and-key principle", Chichester: Wiley 247–306 (1994)H. Kuhn: "Origin of life — Symmetry breaking in the universe: Emergence of homochirality" Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science 13:3–11 (2008). This genetic apparatus agrees in the basic structure and in the mechanism with the biological multiplication and translation apparatus. The skill of the experimentalist building supramolecular machines is replaced in life's origin by very particular conditions given by chance in a very particular location on the prebiotic earth and elsewhere in the universe driving the process. The unifying paradigm has led to construct supramolecular machines and to invent a pathway leading to an apparatus based on the same mechanism as the genetic apparatus of bio-systems. This required thinking in terms of strongly simplifying theoretical models describing complex situations. Important new methods were invented and developed in several laboratories. This caused a divergence - supramolecular chemistry, molecular electronics, Systems chemistry and important contributions to nano-technology. Future research will be based on integrating these topics. Having in mind this coherence is stimulating and will be useful. In Kuhn's view these challenging topics should be included in a modern textbook on physical chemistry. During his retirement, Kuhn developed (with his son Christoph and with Horst Dieter Försterling) his early work on π-electron density (a precursor of the Density functional theory (DFT)) to a very useful approximation called BCD method (bondlength consistent with total π-electron density method). He contributed in understanding Photosynthesis of Purple bacteria, the proton pump of Halobacterium, and the ATP synthase motor. Honours and awards The items of this list are accessible. 1949: Werner Preis of the Schweizerische Chemische Gesellschaft (SCG) 1967: Corresponding member of the Naturforschende Gesellschaft, Basel 1968: Member of the Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina 1972: Liebig Medal of the Society of German Chemists 1972: Literaturpreis of the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie (with Horst-Dieter Försterling) for Physikalische Chemie in Experimenten 1972: Honorary doctor of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München 1976: Adolf-Grimme-Preis of the