The Engineering Heritage Awards, formally known as the ''Engineering Heritage Hallmark Scheme'', were established by the

Institution of Mechanical Engineers The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is an independent professional association and learned society headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that represents mechanical engineers and the engineering profession. With over 120,000 member ...

(IMechE) in 1984 to identify and promote artefacts, locations, collections and landmarks of significant engineering importance.

Development of the Awards

Engineering Heritage Hallmark Scheme (EHHS)

In 1984, IMechE launched its Engineering Heritage Hallmark Scheme. For an object or artefact etc. to be considered for an award, an IMechE member would be required to complete a nomination form and submit it to the Institution. Upon submission, two referees would be appointed, one nominated by the Regional Committee where the object is located and a second independent referee. The submissions from both referees would then be reviewed by the Institution's Technical Support department before a decision was taken on the application.

Engineering Heritage Awards (EHA)

In 2007, the Institution established the Heritage Committee to relaunch and promote the now renamed Engineering Heritage Awards. It simplified the application process, making it more transparent and with a quicker decision-making process. Furthermore, the criteria were changed, and the Institution's own library and information service became involved in the verification of details being submitted. The Award plaque was also redesigned (see below).

EHHA and EHA plaques

Since 1984, the plaques presented to EHHS and EHA recipients have changed four times. The original plaque was a blue ceramic disc approximately 40 cm in wide. This was replaced in the 1990s by a rectangular steel plate mounted on a wooden base. With the launch of the Engineering Heritage Awards in 2008, a new cast plaque was created. This was slightly modified in 2009 to reflect the rebranding of the Institution. File:Eling Tide Mill 16 Sept 09 008.jpg, The Original EHHS Blue Plaque which was used until the early 1990s File:Late EHHA Plaque design.JPG, The final EHHS Plaque design. This plaque was discontinued in 2006. File:Beyer Peacock K1 Engineering Heritage Plaque.jpg, EHA plaque design used for three awards. Picture courtesy of Terry Whalebone.EHA Plaque 1: Picture courtesy of Terry Whalebone File:2009 EHA Plaque Design.jpeg, The New EHA Plaque used from 2009 onwards

Engineering Heritage Award recipients

References

External links

IMechE Official website

Engineering Heritage Awards website

IMechE Information and Library website
{{Institution of Mechanical Engineers Awards established in 1984 Historical markers History of engineering Industrial history of the United Kingdom Awards of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers