Insights

A Brief History of Caller ID: How One Woman Revolutionized Telecom Forever

Aug 10, 2023

With the advent of caller ID and call waiting, not only were users provided a new level of convenience and efficiency, but they were also presented with a more modern way to interact with incoming phone calls. For the first time ever, a person could know who was trying to get ahold of them – BEFORE they answered the phone! – and were empowered to have the ability to decide whether or not to take a call. 

While most people know that Alexander Graham Bell created the modern telephone and Steve Jobs pioneered the iPhone, can you name who invented caller ID and call waiting technology? While her name might not be a household one like Bell or Jobs, this visionary’s contributions have undoubtedly fundamentally shaped the way we interact with telephone technology. 

As a physicist, Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson joined the Theoretical Physics Research Department at AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1976. Her work delved into areas like theoretical physics, solid-state physics, quantum physics, and optical physics. While these fields of study may seem abstract and unrelated to telecom, Dr. Jackson’s groundbreaking research in theoretical physics and breakthrough advances would serve as the foundation of caller ID and call waiting. 

Dr. Jackson's subsequent work transcended her contributions to telecom. In fact, her groundbreaking research on materials used in the semiconductor industry laid the foundation for the development of other communication tools such as the touch-tone telephone and the fax machine. Further yet, her exploration of optical physics contributed to the development of fiber optic cables, which now serve as the backbone of high-speed internet and telecom networks. 

Dr. Jackson's academic achievements are, in a lot of ways, even more remarkable than her professional accomplishments, however. Her grit and drive led her to break barriers, challenge the status quo and ultimately, become one of the first African American students to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her resilience and determination even led her to graduate from MIT with a Ph.D. in theoretical elementary particle physics, making her the first woman to achieve this distinction in the institution's history.  

Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson's journey is a testament to the transformative power of dedication, choice and perseverance. Her contributions to telecommunications – specifically caller ID and call waiting – have forever altered the way we communicate and connect, leaving an indelible mark on the tech community, telecom and beyond.