In January 1910, Patrick Alexander issued the conditions of a £1,000 "Alexander Award", a prize that he would offer for the development of a lightweight engine suitable for aviation. The prize was offered through the auspices of the Aerial League of which Alexander was a founding member and the testing would be performed by the National Physical Laboratory. (The prize, which was Alexander's own money, was a considerable sum; £1,000 in 1910 is equivalent to £ in .) Tests were carried out one year later. The "Green Engine" by Aster Engineering Ltd performed particularly well and, by unanimous agreement, won the prize.