Marie Van Brittan Brown is a name you might not hear in everyday conversation, but you should. If you’ve ever felt safer because of a home security system, you’ve got her to thank. Back in the 1960s, when crime in her Queens neighborhood was rising and police response times left much to be desired, Marie didn’t just sit back and hope for things to get better—she took action. As a nurse working irregular hours, she faced daily fears of coming home to an unsafe environment. So, she did what any innovative mind would do: she invented the world’s first home security system.
Sounds surprising, doesn’t it? A nurse developing a home surveillance system. But it’s true—and her invention laid the foundation for the security technology we rely on today.
The Beginning of a Life-Saving Idea
Marie Van Brittan Brown was born in 1922 in Queens, New York, and worked as a full-time nurse. Living in an area where crime was becoming an unfortunate part of daily life, especially for someone working unusual hours, Marie understood firsthand the need for protection. Imagine coming home after a long, late-night shift, knowing that police response times were anything but reliable. She wasn’t just a passive observer of the world around her; she was determined to change it.
One evening, while discussing safety concerns with her husband Albert Brown, an electronics technician, the two of them came up with a groundbreaking idea. What if they could create a system that would allow them to monitor their front door without even being near it? What if this system could also let them communicate with someone on the other side of the door before deciding to let them in? The seed was planted, and in 1966, Marie and Albert filed a patent for what would become the first-ever home security system.
How the First Home Security System Worked
Marie’s invention was ahead of its time, especially considering the technology available in the 1960s. The system was a closed-circuit television (CCTV) setup, using four peepholes at different heights on the door. Behind each peephole, a motorized camera would slide into place, allowing the person inside the house to see who was outside without having to approach the door. The images would then be displayed on a monitor in the home—giving a real-time look at what was happening outside.
But Marie didn’t stop there. Her system also included a two-way microphone, so she could talk to whoever was at the door without needing to open it. And if the visitor was someone safe, she could unlock the door remotely using a wireless control. Talk about futuristic!
Marie Van Brittan Brown’s design wasn’t just about convenience—it was about peace of mind. With crime rates going up and no reliable way to protect herself and her home, she created a solution that put safety directly into her own hands.
Recognition (Though Long Overdue)
Marie’s invention was so revolutionary that she was interviewed by The New York Times in 1969. A Black woman, a nurse, living in a high-crime area, who took control of her safety in such an innovative way—it’s not surprising that her work turned heads.
In 1969, the United States Patent Office granted Marie and Albert the patent for their home security system (Patent No. 3,482,037). What’s even more remarkable is that her invention has continued to inspire new patents and innovations in the security industry. Even as recently as 2013, her original patent was cited by other inventors working on their own advancements in home security technology.
However, despite this recognition and the monumental impact of her invention, Marie didn’t receive the widespread fame she deserved. Let’s be honest—if her name were mentioned alongside famous inventors like Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell, most people wouldn’t recognize it. And that’s a shame. But her contributions to technology—and to personal safety—are every bit as vital.
A Lasting Legacy
Marie Van Brittan Brown passed away in 1999, but her invention continues to live on. While modern security systems may look sleeker or come with fancier gadgets, they all owe their existence to the framework she built. Today, home security systems are an essential part of many households, with features like video surveillance, remote monitoring, and emergency response integration—all ideas that trace back to Marie’s original system.
She didn’t just invent a product; she opened the door (pun intended) to an entire industry. And in doing so, she paved the way for countless innovations that make us feel safer in our own homes.
Why Marie’s Story Matters
Marie Van Brittan Brown’s story is a reminder that sometimes the best ideas come from solving personal problems. She wasn’t a trained engineer or a professional inventor—she was a nurse who felt unsafe in her own neighborhood and decided to do something about it. In an era when women, particularly African American women, weren’t often credited for their contributions to science and technology, Marie stood out as a brilliant mind ahead of her time.
Her innovation wasn’t just about inventing a gadget—it was about taking control of her safety, her future, and her home. And because of that, millions of people today enjoy a sense of security that might not have existed otherwise.
So, the next time you look at your security camera feed or use a smart lock, take a moment to remember Marie Van Brittan Brown—the woman who made it all possible.
Here’s a quick 10-point summary of key facts about Marie Van Brittan Brown:
- Marie Van Brittan Brown was born in 1922 in Queens, New York, and worked as a nurse with irregular hours.
- She lived in a neighborhood with rising crime rates and slow police response times, which led her to feel unsafe in her own home.
- In 1966, she and her husband Albert Brown co-invented the first home security system to improve their personal safety.
- The home security system used a motorized camera that allowed homeowners to see outside through four peepholes on the door.
- The images from the camera were displayed on a monitor inside the house, making it one of the first closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems.
- The system also featured a two-way microphone for communication with visitors and a remote control to unlock the door, which was revolutionary at the time.
- In 1969, the United States Patent Office granted them Patent No. 3,482,037 for their invention, officially recognizing it as the first home security system.
- Marie’s invention was featured in The New York Times in 1969, which helped bring attention to her groundbreaking work.
- Though she passed away in 1999, her invention continues to influence modern security technologies, with her patent being referenced in later innovations as recently as 2013.
- Marie Van Brittan Brown’s legacy as an African American woman inventor remains underappreciated, yet her contributions are foundational to the modern home security industry.
Bibliography
U.S. Patent Office
Patent No. 3,482,037, filed August 1, 1966, and granted December 2, 1969.
Marie Van Brittan Brown and Albert Brown, “Home Security System Utilizing Television Surveillance.”
The New York Times (1969)
The New York Times article covering Marie Van Brittan Brown’s interview, published after the patent was granted in 1969.
Note: Original articles from the 1960s may require archival access.
Smithsonian Institution
“African American Women Inventors: Marie Van Brittan Brown”
Smithsonian highlights the significance of Brown’s contributions and discusses her invention in the context of its impact on security systems.
URL: smithsonianmag.com
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Citations of Patent No. 3,482,037 in later security system patents, showing continued relevance in modern innovations.
URL: uspto.gov
Biography.com
“Marie Van Brittan Brown: The Nurse Who Invented the Home Security System”
Provides an overview of her life and contributions.
URL: biography.com
BlackPast.org
“Marie Van Brittan Brown (1922-1999)”
A comprehensive look at Brown’s life, her invention, and its legacy.
URL: blackpast.org
Invention of Home Security Systems
Scholarly articles and journals that explore the history and evolution of home security technology, with references to Marie Van Brittan Brown’s original system.
Check JSTOR for detailed research papers: jstor.org
National Inventors Hall of Fame
Highlights women in invention, including Marie Van Brittan Brown’s contribution to modern technology.
URL: invent.org
