Join us for a historic day as we officially celebrate the designation of the Colossus Computers as an IEEE Milestone & 2026 Tony Sale Award

The Computer Conservation Society (CCS) - Tony Sale Award

Join us for a historic day at The National Museum of Computing (TNMoC) as we officially celebrate the designation of the Colossus Computers (1944–1945) as an IEEE Milestone—one of the most prestigious recognition programs in technical history.

Presented by IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization, this global honor recognizes Colossus as one of the most significant and transformative technical achievements in the history of computing.

Held in conjunction with the prestigious 2026 Tony Sale Award for Computer Conservation, this landmark dedication ceremony offers a rare opportunity to honor the past, present, and future of computer conservation.

About IEEE

IEEE is a public charity and the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Through its highly cited publications, conferences, technology standards, and professional and educational activities, IEEE is the trusted voice on a wide variety of areas ranging from global standards, aerospace systems, computers and telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power, and consumer electronics. Learn more at https://www.ieee.org.

About the IEEE Milestones Program

IEEE’s Milestones Program recognizes significant achievements in the history of IEEE fields of interest by placing bronze plaques where they occurred. It is a program of the IEEE History Committee, administered through the IEEE History Center. IEEE Milestones recognize the technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity found in unique products, services, seminal papers and patents. Milestones honour the achievement, rather than a place or a person.

About the Tony Sale Award for Computer Conservation

The winner of this prestigious Award will be announced, and a presentation about the winning project will take place, on Tuesday 29 September 2026 at The National Museum of Computing (TNMoC).

The international Tony Sale Award was established by the Computer Conservation Society (CCS) in 2012 in memory of the late Tony Sale​. This award recognises a singular achievement in the area of computer conservation and restoration by a person or group, and gives public recognition to such work worldwide. The emphasis is on highlighting a significant practical project, which may involve hardware and/or software.

Engagement with visitors and users through working machines is a signature feature of Tony Sale’s legacy. With its emphasis on live interaction with users, TNMoC, located at Bletchley Park, is a natural home for the Tony Sale Award. This year, TNMoC will host the award ceremony as part of a collaborative effort with CCS.

An independent judging panel, convened by Professor Martin Campbell-Kelly, will evaluate entries and select the winner.

Event Schedule

10:30 AM: Museum galleries open for a "free-flow" tour, featuring the working Colossus rebuild.

12:15: Complimentary buffet lunch for registered guests and dignitaries.

13:15: Official IEEE Milestone unveiling followed by the Tony Sale Award for Computer Conservation presentation.

14:00:Tony Sale Award for Computer Conservation presentation.

Global Access: For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed globally via the Computer Conservation Society (CCS).

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed on Zoom and a recording will be made available to the public at a later date on the CCS YouTube channel.

Images:

1. Winner’s Trophy.

2. Tony Sale at console of Colossus at The National Museum of Computing.

3. Tony Sale with George, his robot.

Description supplied by the event organiser.