John Joseph Carty was an American electrical engineer and a major contributor to the development of telephone wires and related technology. He was a recipient of the Edison Medal. As Chief Engineer of AT&T, he was instrumental in the development of the first transcontinental telephone line. Carty was president of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers from 1915 to 1916.

The IEEE Edison Medal is presented by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) "for a career of meritorious achievement in electrical science, electrical engineering, or the electrical arts." It is the oldest medal in this field of engineering. The award consists of a gold medal, bronze replica, certificate, and honorarium. The medal may only be awarded to a new leap/breakthrough in the technological area of science.