By The Visionary Behind Modern Safety: Marie Van Brittan Brown
The Visionary Behind Modern Safety: Marie Van Brittan Brown
​Long before smart doorbells and Wi-Fi-enabled cameras became household staples, a nurse living in Queens, New York, revolutionized the way we protect our homes. Marie Van Brittan Brown is the pioneering mind behind the world’s first integrated home security system.
​A Necessity Born of Concern
​In the mid-1960s, Marie Brown lived in a neighborhood where crime rates were climbing and police response times were often delayed. Because Marie worked as a nurse and her husband, Albert, was an electronics technician, they both worked irregular hours that frequently left Marie home alone at night.
​Driven by the need for personal safety and peace of mind, she decided to take security into her own hands. She didn’t just want a better lock; she wanted a way to see, hear, and respond to anyone at her door without putting herself at risk.
​Engineering a Breakthrough
​In 1966, Marie and Albert collaborated to design a sophisticated surveillance setup. Their invention was far ahead of its time, featuring several components that remain the foundation of modern security tech:
​Adjustable Camera System: A motorized camera that could slide between four different peepholes to view visitors of varying heights.
​Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV): The camera transmitted wireless video signals to a monitor inside the home, allowing the resident to see a guest from any room.
​Two-Way Audio: A microphone and speaker system enabled remote communication with whoever was outside.
​Remote Unlock & Alarm: The system included a button to unlock the door remotely and another to trigger an alarm that could alert neighbors or a nearby security firm.
​Legacy and Lasting Impact
​On December 2, 1969, the U.S. government officially granted the patent for the “Home Security System Utilizing Television Surveillance.”
​While the technology was initially expensive for the average homeowner, it was quickly adopted by businesses and eventually paved the way for the multi-billion dollar home automation industry we see today. Marie Van Brittan Brown’s ingenuity earned her accolades from the National Scientists Committee and a prominent feature in The New York Times.
​Today, every time we check a smartphone app to see who is at our front door, we are using technology that traces its roots directly back to Marie Brown’s kitchen in Queens.
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