
Ernie: The evolution of the premium bonds linchpin
By Jo Best
Published: 2 November 2006 15:00 GMT
This year sees the 50th birthday of the UK's best-loved computer, premium bonds number picker Ernie, short for Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment.
Fifty years ago, the original Ernie, above, was commissioned to pick out the random numbers that were to choose premium bonds winners. The machine was built by engineers in Dollis Hill, north London and then moved to Blackpool - the seaside town that has remained Ernie's permanent home ever since.
Like many of its contemporaries in the computing world, Ernie was no small fry. The machine filled a room, cost £25,000 in old money to build and took 10 days to make the draw.
According to a National Savings and Investment (NS&I) spokesman, Ernie picks the lucky winners by a system of white noise. The machine creates entirely random white noise, with each 'blip' corresponding to a number between one and nine. "The same principle has remained all the way through the Ernies," he told silicon.com.
Photo credit: NS&I
Joining the Bonds Team (pricing and data services), you will help to develop a comprehensive and repeatable test process. Test Analyst required by ...
Financial Services organisation have a current requirement for an experienced Business Analyst with solid Cards issuing and acquiring experience. The ...
A key client of mine based in the Thames Valley is looking for an Automotive Jigs and Tooling, machine designer. This will involve Jigs, Fixtures ...
Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.
Stories from the web...
Copyright © 2008 CBS Interactive Limited. All rights reserved. Top of page
Seb Janacek Minority Report: Mac Mini - a real nowhere machine What could it have become with a little more love and attention?
Bethan Jones Can I use a netbook as my everyday work machine? Part II silicon.com sub editor reveals whether her netbook delivered