The Charles Babbage Premium was an annual

award An award, sometimes called a distinction, is given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration. An award may be d ...

"for an outstanding paper on the design or use of electronic computers". The award was established in 1959. It was initiated by the

British Institution of Radio Engineers The Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers (IERE) was a professional organization for radio engineers. It was originally established in 1925 as the Institute of Wireless Technology. It renamed itself British Institution of Radio Engineer ...

, which became the

Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers The Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers (IERE) was a professional organization for radio engineers. It was originally established in 1925 as the Institute of Wireless Technology. It renamed itself British Institution of Radio Engineer ...

. In 1988, it merged with the

Institution of Electrical Engineers The Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) was a British professional organisation of electronics, electrical, manufacturing, and information technology professionals, especially electrical engineers. It began in 1871 as the Society of Tel ...

(IEE), which later became the

Institution of Engineering and Technology The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is a multidisciplinary professional engineering institution. The IET was formed in 2006 from two separate institutions: the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE), dating back to 1871,Engin ...

(IET) in 2006. Winners have been announced in journals such as ''Nuclear Power'', ''Electronic Engineering'', ''British Communications and Electronics'', and the '' Software Engineering Journal''. Charles Babbage 1860

The Premium was named after the mathematician

Charles Babbage Charles Babbage (; 26 December 1791 – 18 October 1871) was an English polymath. A mathematician, philosopher, inventor and mechanical engineer, Babbage originated the concept of a digital programmable computer. Babbage is considered ...

FRS (1791–1871), inventor of the Analytical Engine, a design for an early mechanical computer. The IET now makes separate Premium Awards for papers in each of its journals, named after the journal itself. This includes the '' IET Software Premium Award'', the nearest equivalent to the Charles Babbage Premium Award.

References

1959 establishments in the United Kingdom 1988 disestablishments in the United Kingdom Awards established in 1959 Awards disestablished in 1988 Awards for scholarly publications British science and technology awards Computer science awards Institution of Engineering and Technology

Premium Premium may refer to: Marketing * Premium (marketing), a promotional item that can be received for a small fee when redeeming proofs of purchase that come with or on retail products * Premium segment, high-price brands or services in marketing ...

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