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Apple's Jony Ive Picks Up The Ultimate Accolade... A Gold Blue Peter Badge

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Sir Jonathan Ive (Photo credit: marcopako )

Forget knighthoods. Sir Jonathan Ive has been awarded one of the most difficult to achieve honors... the gold Blue Peter badge.

It's hard to explain to people outside of the United Kingdom the cultural heritage that is represented by Children's TV magazine programme Blue Peter. Running since 1958, it is the world's longest running programme for children, and many of the regular segments and catchphrases are part of the cultural language.

Part of this is the Blue Peter badge. Worn by the presenters, children could earn the badge by writing in a letter to the program team with something interesting and worthwhile (or appearing on the show). The badge allows free entry to many events and attractions around the UK. There are various colors of badge showing the owner's level of achievement.

Right at the top is the gold Blue Peter badge, and it is this badge that Jony Ive has been awarded.

He's in a very exclusive club, just over 1,000 gold badges have been awarded in the show's history, (including to writer J K Rowling).

Recognition inside your industry is a huge reward for many, but to be recognised outside of the design and consumer electronics ecosystem means so much more. Apple's English designer has picked up countless awards, but I suspect the emotional connection back to his childhood will make this one very special.