Marie Van Brittan Brown’s home security system revolutionizes safety

Marie Van Brittan Brown was born 1922, in Jamaica Queens, New York. She was an African American woman who invented the video home security system, along with her husband, Albert Brown.

In the 1960s, Jamaica Queens, New York was known to have a high crime rate. Brown worked as a nurse and her husband was an electronics technician. Both worked sporadic hours leaving Brown coming home alone at night. She grew frustrated, watching the cities slow response to emergencies and crime in her neighborhood.

To take matters into her own hands, she teamed up with her husband to handle her own security. Their home security system was constructed with several components. A sliding camera, peepholes, two microphones, door control locks, and closed-circuit television (CCTV).

CCTV is a video surveillance technology where only authorized users can view the footage. With her system in place, Brown could use her bedroom television to see who was knocking on the door without opening it. By incorporating two-way audio, visitors could identify themselves to her or state the purpose. Brown added an emergency button to alert authorities if she felt unsafe.

In 1969, Brown and her husband were awarded a patent for the invention of the home security system utilizing television surveillance. U.S. Patent number 3,482,037. She was unable to scale the home security system due to manufacturing costs.

Brown passed away at the age of 76 in 1999. Brown’s contribution to home security led her invention to be cited in numerous subsequent patent applications. Laying the foundation for later security systems. Video doorbells, smart locks, and push button alarm triggers.

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