Black History: Special Delivery!!
Dr. Marian Croak (1955 – )
The African American woman that made it possible for us to enjoy video conferencing, and internet/wifi generated phone calls is Dr. Marian Croak. Croak created Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP). VoIP technology makes it possible for voice communications and other media to be transmitted over the internet (internet protocol or IP). In 1982, she began her career at AT & T/Bell Laboratories. At that time Croak anticipated the advent of using the internet to transmit voice communication and other types of media and began to strategize on how to expand capabilities in this area.
Croak has over one hundred patents related to VoIP technologies and an additional one hundred patents pending. “Text to give” technology that is often used to collect donations during natural disasters and other crises was also developed by Croak. She filed a patent for this technology in 2005. This technology was groundbreaking in changing how money is donated to charities and non-profit organizations. After 32 years at AT & T/Bell Laboratories, Croak joined Google in 2014; serving as the Vice President of Engineering.
In this role, she has overseen Google’s expansion efforts in new markets; which included technology for Project Loon. Project Loon employs the use of balloons to help with increasing the reach of communications technology. Croak was inducted into the Women In Technology Hall of Fame in 2013. She enjoys long distance running and is the mother of three adult children.
Sources:
https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/croak-marian-r-1955/
https://face2faceafrica.com/article/womens-history-month-salute-marian-croak
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