Dr. Joseph Nathan Jackson
Ph.D., U.S. Army Veteran
"Inventor. Advocate for equitable access through innovation. Builder of technology that empowers families and protects autonomy."
A Legacy Rooted in Protection and Empowerment
Dr. Joseph Nathan Jackson invented the technology that became the V-Chip — giving parents control over what their children watched on television. That same commitment to protection, privacy, and autonomy now drives FemChoice: technology that puts women's health data back in their own hands.
From Service to Innovation
Born in Harvey, Louisiana, Dr. Jackson entered the United States Army at age 18. He served with distinction from 1956 to 1971, completing two tours in Korea as a Non-Commissioned Officer.
While stationed near Fort Bragg, Dr. Jackson attended television repair school at night, launching a career that would span five decades of technological innovation. His technical expertise and commitment to families led him to invent the programmable television controller — a direct precursor to the V-Chip mandated by Congress in 1996.
In 1993, Dr. Jackson founded Protelcon, Inc. to bring the TeleCommander to market. Network executives later called upon him to testify before the U.S. House of Representatives on technical solutions to television violence, cementing his reputation as a leader in child protection technology.
Commitment to Community
Beyond his work as an inventor, Dr. Jackson dedicated himself to education, mentorship, and public service. In 1993, he co-founded the Black Invention Museum to preserve and celebrate the contributions of Black inventors whose achievements have often been minimized or erased from history.
Dr. Jackson served as a Commissioner for the City of Hawthorne, California from 2016 to 2020, and has spoken at institutions ranging from Cal State universities to the U.S. Coast Guard, sharing his knowledge and inspiring the next generation of inventors.
Throughout his career, Dr. Jackson has worked as a patent consultant, helping other inventors navigate the complex process of protecting their intellectual property — ensuring that their contributions, like his, are properly recognized and credited.
Patent Portfolio
Six U.S. patents spanning television technology and reproductive health
Programmable Television Controller
Patent #4,081,754
Television Control System
Patent #4,228,543
Advanced Television Controller
Patent #5,548,345
Enhanced Parental Control
Patent #6,094,194
Fertility Prediction Device
Patent #5,836,890
Biorhythmic Cycle Indicator
Patent #6,022,323
The FemChoice Foundation
Patents #5,836,890 and #6,022,323 form the technological foundation of the FemChoice device — representing years of research into biorhythmic patterns, fertility awareness, and women's reproductive health.
Timeline of Impact
Five decades of innovation and service
U.S. Army Service
Two tours in Korea. NCO. Television repair training at Fort Bragg.
First Patent Granted
Programmable TV controller - precursor to V-Chip technology.
Founded Protelcon, Inc.
Marketed TeleCommander, first empowerment television accessory.
Co-Founded Black Invention Museum
Dedicated to preserving and promoting Black inventor contributions.
Congressional Testimony
Called to testify before House of Representatives on television violence solutions.
FemChoice Patents
Developed and patented fertility prediction and biorhythmic cycle technology.
Ph.D. in Applied Science
Glendale University - Applied Science and Technology.
City Commissioner
Served as Commissioner for the City of Hawthorne, California.
A Legacy Built on Purpose
From television technology that protects children to reproductive health tools that empower women, Dr. Joseph Nathan Jackson's life work demonstrates that technology, when driven by compassion, equity, and purpose, creates meaningful and lasting change.