Ernie *
Electronic random number indicator equipment

At a more sophisticated level the British premium bond machine ERNIE (electronic random number indicator equipment) is a raffle on a large scale.

The machine that generates random numbers for the lottery is called ERNIE, for Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment.

In 1957 ERNIE (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment) was built for the government's Premium Bond lottery, by Sidney Broadhurst's team.

On June 1, 1957, the Premium Bonds draws were inaugurated, using E.R.N.I.E - the Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment machine (now located in the Science Museum).