In the mid-20th century, the rising crime rates in urban areas prompted individuals to seek new methods of personal security. Amidst this climate, Marie Van Brittan Brown, a nurse from Queens, New York, laid the foundations for the modern home security system. Living in a neighborhood with high rates of crime and experiencing slow police responses, Brown sought a way to feel safer in her own home. Together with her husband, Albert Brown, an electronics technician, they conceived a revolutionary form of protection that would eventually change how people secured their homes.
The system they invented in 1966 was ingenious yet simple, utilizing the technology available at the time in a novel way. It included four peepholes on her front door at different heights, which catered to people of varying statures—from adults to children. Marie Van Brittan Brown then installed a camera that could slide up and down to look out through these peepholes. The camera's view was then projected onto a television monitor, providing a safe way to see outside without opening the door. This was a groundbreaking approach to home security. Before this invention, peepholes and safety chains were the extent of door security for most people.
Furthermore, the Browns integrated a two-way microphone system to communicate with whoever was at the door, alongside a remote control system to unlatch the door from a safe distance. This development was particularly innovative, providing not only surveillance but interactive communication and remote door operation. Additionally, the system had an alarm button that, when pressed, would immediately alert the police. This added feature significantly improved the ability to secure timely help when needed.
Marie Van Brittan Brown’s invention was met with significant admiration and led to her receiving a patent in 1969. It segmented the path for advancements in security systems, involving complicated wiring and multiple cameras visible in today's security technology. The Browns' foresight and innovative thinking laid the groundwork for multifaceted contemporary surveillance systems, featuring multiple cameras, motion detectors, and connectivity to emergency services.
This invention's significance is highlighted not just by its innovation but also by the empowerment it provided to residents, particularly those in neighborhoods with high crime rates or slow police responses. Marie Van Brittan Brown not only contributed to the field of home security but also empowered millions of people to take their safety into their own hands. Today, her legacy lives on with the proliferation of home security systems that continue to build on her groundbreaking ideas. The concept she and her husband developed more than five decades ago has become a fundamental component in modern home safety and a testament to the innovative power of everyday citizens facing everyday challenges.
