Marie Van Brittan Brown shook up the home security scene. Ever thought about feeling safe in your own home? Imagine this: in 1966, she devised the first modern security system, complete with a sliding camera and two-way communication. Talk about visionary! Despite her groundbreaking invention, she didn't reap the financial rewards she deserved. Isn't it wild how one woman's creativity paved the way for smart locks and video doorbells? Stick around, and you'll discover even more about her incredible journey!
Quick Takeaways
- Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first modern home security system, revolutionizing personal safety technologies in the 1960s.
- Her innovative design included features like a sliding camera and remote-controlled locks, laying the groundwork for future security systems.
- Brown's patent has been cited in over 31 subsequent patents, demonstrating its lasting impact on home safety technology.
- She broke gender and racial barriers, highlighting the essential contributions of women in the field of technology and innovation.
- Despite financial challenges, her legacy continues to inspire advancements in smart home devices and discussions about women in tech.
Marie Van Brittan Brown: Innovator of Home Security

In the bustling heart of Jamaica, Queens, on October 30, 1922, a future innovator was born—Marie Van Brittan Brown. Who would've thought a girl from Queens would go on to revolutionize home security? With her determination, Marie faced the chaotic world outside her door while juggling her demanding job as a nurse—a job that required her to work irregular shifts and often leave her alone at home.
Isn't it wild to think that her challenges in maneuvering safety sparked an invention that would change everything?
In 1966, she teamed up with her husband, Albert, and pieced together what you and I now know as the first modern home security system. Can you envision? In a world where safety was as scarce as a sunny day in November, they filed a patent that wouldn't just sit on a shelf. Nope! Instead, it became a beacon of hope for countless families, especially in high-crime areas. That's the stuff legends are made of.
Marie didn't just invent; she inspired. Her groundbreaking system laid the foundation for technologies that followed—video monitoring, two-way communication, all those nifty remote-controlled door locks you love today. Influential women in technology like Marie have been crucial in promoting safety and innovation. It's no surprise that by 2018, her original patent was cited in over 31 subsequent patents. Talk about a legacy! Closed-circuit television paved the way for advanced surveillance solutions that we rely on daily, making homes safer than ever before.
Despite her remarkable contributions, it's unfortunate that financial reward slipped through her fingers like sand. But she gained visibility, appearing in *The New York Times* and receiving accolades from the National Scientists Committee.
You've got to tip your hat to someone who broke through gender and racial barriers in such a male-dominated field.
I created this website, Jaw Drop Zone, to celebrate figures like Marie—individuals whose stories deserve to be told. So next time you lock your door, recall there's a fierce woman behind that simple action.
What would you give for such peace of mind?
Innovative Surveillance Technology Pioneer

When you think about revolutionary inventions, do you ever stop to wonder who first brought the idea of home CCTV systems into the world?
Enter Marie Van Brittan Brown—the genius behind the first home surveillance system!
Envision this: a sliding camera with multiple peepholes, two-way communication, and remote-controlled locks. Talk about feeling secure!
Her panic button? It alert authorities faster than I can eat pizza.
Her panic button? It summons help quicker than I can devour a slice of pizza!
Isn't it mind-blowing that her innovations paved the way for today's smart locks and video doorbells?
I created Jaw Drop Zone to explore such incredible legacies.
Let's celebrate the unconventional pioneers—because they make life safer!
References
- https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/marie-van-brittan-brown
- https://americacomesalive.com/marie-van-brittan-brown-home-security-system-inventor/
- https://awis.org/historical-women/marie-van-brittan-brown/
- https://cupblog.org/2022/02/21/the-innovative-mindset-of-marie-van-brittan-brown-lorraine-marchand/
- https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/marie-van-brittan-brown
- https://www.ask.com/news/top-innovations-marie-van-brittan-brown-changed-home-security-forever
- https://papersowl.com/examples/innovation-in-security-marie-van-brittan-browns-revolutionary-invention/

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