The Woman Who Made Your Home Safer: Marie Van Brittan Brown

The Black Woman Who Revolutionized Home Security

Marie Van Brittan Brown

Her name is Marie Van Brittan Brown. On December 2, it will be exactly 55 years since she received a patent. This patent was for the first home security television monitoring system. This is the type used today throughout the country.

On Dec. 2, 1969, Brown received Patent Number 3,482,037 for her invention. It consisted—for the first time in American history—of a motorized remote-controlled video recording camera and television screen surveillance. It also included lensed peepholes and a radio receiving transmitter. The invention featured a two-way microphone, a loudspeaker, an electronically controlled locking/unlocking mechanism, and a police alert alarm.

Some of these components had been used in earlier patents by other inventors. Yet, Brown’s was the first to incorporate all of them into a single system. It was the first ever designed for an inner-city neighborhood. This includes hers in Queens, New York City, where the crime rate was high. Police response was also slow.

The invention was personally important to her. She was a nurse who worked late. She often arrived home after dark. As Brown said in a Dec. 6, 1969, New York Times interview, the invention was lifesaving. “A woman alone could set off an alarm instantly by pressing a button,” whenever she (or anyone) encounters an emergency.

Her husband, Albert L. Brown, an electronics technician, played an instrumental role in assisting her. Together, she led as the brainchild and concept designer. They invented this innovative system in 1966. They submitted a patent application on August 1 of that year. They described it as the “Home Security System Utilizing Television Surveillance.” They received a patent three years later on Dec. 2, 1969.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lemelson Program pointed out that “African American inventor Marie Van Brittan Brown contributed to a safer society. She invented the first home security system. Her invention was the first closed-circuit television security system and paved the way for modern home security systems used today.”

Princeton University’s Council on Science and Technology noted that Brown’s concept laid the groundwork for modern closed-circuit television security systems. This concept is cited in 35 U.S. patents by later inventors.

Additionally, as documented at blackpast.org, “Brown’s invention laid the foundation for later security systems that make use of its … [many] features …. Her invention is still used by small businesses, small offices, single-family homes, and multi-unit dwellings like apartments and condominiums.”

Marie Van Brittan Brown: Inventor | 7 Days Of Genius | MSNBC

Brown became a revered ancestor on Feb. 2, 1999, at age 76. Her legacy lives on in her daughter, Norma Brown. Norma followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a nurse and inventor. She has ten inventions of her own.

Her legacy also lives on. This happens whenever little Black girls across America aspire to reach their unlimited potential. They later major in STEM courses at HBCUs.

Companies like Ring, ADT, SimpliSafe, and Vivint have all benefited from Brown’s groundbreaking innovation. Countless other providers have also gained from her work. Her pioneering work laid the foundation for modern home security technology. It enhances safety. It gives individuals greater control over their personal protection.

Brown’s story is a testament to ingenuity, resilience, and the impact of Black women in shaping modern technology. Her invention not only enhanced security but also empowered individuals to take control of their own safety. The next time you check your home security system, remember that it all started with a visionary Black woman. She dared to innovate. Her legacy is a beacon of inspiration, reminding us all that great ideas can change the world.

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