When Microsoft Distinguished Engineer Butler Lampson takes the stage later this week to accept the Von Neumann Medal from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) -- the world's largest technical professional organization -- he'll join one of the world's most exclusive clubs. Established in 1990 to honor "outstanding achievements in computer-related science and technology," the annual award is reserved for a researcher whose work and discoveries have played a fundamental role in the development of the computer and the creation of the computer revolution. Lampson is just the 11th scientist to receive the honor. Past winners of the Von Neumann Medal have been cited for "creating the foundations of real-time, interactive, personal computing" and "pioneering contributions to computer graphics and microelectronic design." Lampson's award is for "technical leadership in the creation of timesharing, distributed computing, networking, security and program languages."
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