Officials honored a software inventor and developer with the keys to the city.

Andre Gray was presented the keys to Bridgeport and a plaque by Mayor Joe Ganim at Curiale School Monday night.

He spoke with students at the school and advocated the need for technology education.  

Gray told students that technology use is no longer optional for future generations.

"If you want to be a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse, an engineer, a policeman you will still have to be digitally literate; even if you want to work for UPS, you will have to be computer savvy," Gray says.

Some of Gray's inventions include software for smartphones including the original voicemail icon and very first ringtones.

Gray has been credited with creating 15 internet software inventions since 1998.