Dr. Shirley Jackson Caller ID Inventor

Dr. Shirley Jackson, a theoretical physicist received a bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree, all in the field of physics. She became the first African-American woman to acquire a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Dr. Jackson started to conduct successful experiments in theoretical physics and then used her knowledge in physics to start making advances in telecommunications while working at Bell Laboratories. These inventions include developments in the portable fax, touch tone telephone, solar cell, and the fiber optic cables used to provide clarity in overseas telephone calls. She also made Caller ID and Call Waiting possible.

Dr. Jackson is now president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute that is ranked one of the U.S. top 50 Universities, according to U.S. News and World Report.