Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first home security system.
She is also credited with inventing the first closed-circuit television. Brown was born in Queens, New York, on October 22, 1922, and lived there until she died on February 2, 1999, at the age of 76.
Her father was born in Massachusetts, while her mother was born in Pennsylvania. Brown was the mother of two children, one of whom, Norma Brown, went on to become a nurse and inventor.
The patent for the concept was submitted in 1966, and it impacted home security systems that are still in use today. Brown's innovation was inspired by the security threat that her home faced in her community.
Marie Brown worked as a nurse, while her husband, Albert Brown, was an electronics technician. Their working hours were not the typical nine-to-five, and the crime rate in their Queens, New York City area was quite high. Even when the police were summoned in an emergency, their response time was often delayed. As a result, Brown sought measures to strengthen her security. She needed to develop a mechanism that would let her know who was at her home and contact relevant authorities as quickly as possible.
Brown's security system served as the foundation for current security elements such as two-way communication and surveillance.
Her initial concept had peepholes, a camera, monitors, and a two-way microphone. The final component was an alert button that could be used to notify the police instantly.
Three peepholes were installed on the front door at varying heights.
The top one was for tall people, the lower one was for youngsters, and the middle one was for everyone of ordinary height. On the other side of the door, a camera was mounted that could glide up and down to allow the individual to view via each peephole.
The camera captured images that would be reflected on the monitor using a wireless method. The monitor could be put anywhere in the home so you could see who was at the door.
There was also a vocal component that enabled Brown to communicate with the person outside. If the individual was identified as an intruder, the police would be contacted with the press of a button.
If the individual was a welcome or expected guest, the door could be unlocked using a remote.
On August 1, 1966, Marie and Albert Brown applied for a patent with the title "Home Security System Utilizing Television Surveillance."
The application was accepted on December 2, 1969. Brown received well-deserved attention for her innovation, including an award from the National Scientists Committee (the year of the award is unknown) and an interview with The New York Times on December 6, 1969.
Brown's innovation paved the way for subsequent security systems that incorporate features such as video surveillance, remote-controlled door locks, push-button alarm triggers, immediate messaging to security providers and police, and two-way voice communication.
Her idea is still utilized in small enterprises, workplaces, single-family houses, and multi-unit housing such as apartments and condominiums.
The Browns' invention was later cited by 13 additional inventors, some as recently as 2013.
