The Invention of Home Security
Ever wondered where it all started? The basis of every security system made today?
Meet Marie Van Brittan Brown, a Black woman from Jamaica, Queens, New York who invented the home security system in 1966. Marie worked long hours as a nurse and often came home late at night. Her husband, an electrician also worked irregular hours, and Brown worried about who might knock on her door if she were home alone at night.
She was concerned with the increasing crime in her neighbourhood as well as the length of time it would take for the police to respond. The system she came up with incorporated CCTV and access control and was patented in 1969.
Her invention was the first closed-circuit television security system and paved the way for modern home security systems used today.
Marie started her invention by creating three peepholes in the door to provide access for tall and average height people along with her children. The next step was setting up a camera that could adjust from peephole to peephole to allow people inside the house to look outside to see who was there. Marie wanted to find a way to view who was outside the house from any room and decided a wireless television system would work best. To do this, she used a radio controlled wireless system that could stream the video to any television in the house. Along with the video system, Marie and her husband created a two-way microphone system that would allow for communication between the family and the person at the door.
On August 1, 1966, Marie and her husband submitted a patent application for her invention. It would be the first patent of its kind, and her husband's name was below hers. The patent was granted by the government on December 2, 1969, and four days later, the New York Times ran an article about her invention.
Brown was recognised for her innovation and received an award from the National Science Committee, officially making her a part of "an elite group of African-American inventors and scientists”. Brown was quoted in the New York Times as saying that with her invention “a woman alone could set off an alarm immediately by pressing a button, or if the system were installed in a doctor's office, it might prevent holdups by drug addicts.” *1
It was the foundation for video monitoring, remote-controlled door locks, push-button alarm triggers, instant messaging to security providers and police, as well as two-way voice communication. Brown's invention has led to the creation of many new home security systems that rely on video systems, remote door locks, and quick emergency response actions. These systems have become the leading security for homes and small businesses all over the world. The fame of Brown's device also led to the more prevalent CCTV surveillance in public areas.
The legacy of Marie Van Brittan Browns security system cannot be overstated, as her initial invention was the foundation of most security systems that are around today. As more home security systems came to the market, Brown's initial invention became even more influential.
Her invention was cited in at least 32 future patent applications.
The effect of Browns invention is foundation of security today. With the security business expected to be at least a $1.5B business and is expected to triple by 2024.*1
*1 https://americacomesalive.com/marie-van-brittan-brown-home-security-system-inventor/
*2 Hilgers, Laura. “A Brief History of the Invention of the Home Security Alarm”