Marie Van Brittan Brown

Contribution: Inventor of the first home security system

Age: 76 (1922-1999)

Mini Bio:

Marie Van Brittan Brown was a nurse in the 1960s when she got the idea for her invention. Marie worked nights in the New York City neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens. She thought a new kind of audio-visual alarm would help people feel more safe at home, especially late at night. Marie and her husband, Albert, created an alarm system that allowed her to see who was at the front door from the bedroom of their house. The Browns received a patent in 1969. 

• Marie and Albert’s security system used a motorized camera, a two-way microphone, and a video monitor. 
• The invention could also lock and unlock the front door and sound an alarm. 
• The Browns’ work received awards and an article in The New York Times. 
• Marie’s idea inspired the security systems we have today. In later patents, at least thirteen other inventors said they had relied on the Browns’ 1960s invention.

Further Reading:

• Blackpast.org
• Wikipedia
• MIT