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Announcement of the Wolfgang von Kempelen Prize for Computing Science History

 

The Austrian Society for Computing Science History (ÖGIG), the Austrian Computer Society (ÖCG) and the Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) are awarding, for the first time, a prize for Computing science history in two categories, Science and Art (including journalistic intermediation). The prizes of a value of 10.000 Euros will be awarded for Computing Science History once every two years in the name of Wolfgang von Kempelen.

The prize has been named after the inventor and author Wolfgang von Kempelen (1734 – 1804). Due to his numerous inventions, such as the use of principle of magnetism for information transfer or his mechanical language generation, he is seen as one of the principle precursors in information science.

The early, pioneering years of information science were eventful. The time is now ripe for reflection. One route towards a deeper understanding of information science is that of a scientific and artistic exploration of its history. No matter how hard science may strive to achieve objectivity, if it does not include the human aspect in its considerations it can never be understood in its full breadth.

The awarding criteria

In both categories the prizes will be awarded to submissions which exemplify a creative approach to dealing with either the work of major computer scientists, or of a corresponding personality, or with a relevant concept concerning the tensions between computer science and society.

Submission procedure

The work  is to be sent quintuplicate to the address below, together with the completed application form, a brief description of the work submitted and relevant photographic documentation, by January 15, 2006:
Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt
Institut für Informationstechnologie
Univ.-Prof.
Dr. Laszlo Böszörmenyi
Wolfgang von Kempelen Prize for Computing Science History
Universitätsstraße 65-67, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria
If electronically available, please send us your work also per e-mail (preferably in pdf form).

The copyright for the works submitted remains in all cases with the author, artist or creator. The organisers plan to publish a documentary report on the prize on the internet. Further details about the works submitted are therefore to be made available to the organisers as required and without charge.

Announcement 2007