Marie Van Brittan Brown (October 30, 1922 – February 2, 1999) was an American nurse and innovator. In 1966, with her husband Albert L. Brown, an electronics technician, she invented a video home security system[1][2] That same year they applied for a patent for their security system. It was granted three years later in 1969. Brown was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York.[3] She died there on February 2, 1999 aged seventy-six.[2][4]
Marie Van Brittan Brown
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| Born | (1922-10-30)October 30, 1922 |
| Died | February 2, 1999(1999-02-02) (aged 76)
Jamaica, Queens, New York
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| Known for | Patenting a home video security system. |
| Spouse | Albert L. Brown |
| Children | Norma and Albert Jr. |
Marie Van Brittan Brown's father was born in Massachusetts and her mother was from Pennsylvania. Both were African-American. Not much is known about the early life of Marie. She married an electronics technician, Albert Brown. The couple lived at 151–158 & 135th Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, New York.[5] She had no siblings.[6] Marie and Albert had two children. Their daughter also became a nurse and inventor.[7]
Both Marie and her husband Albert had irregular work hours that often did not overlap. Marie was a nurse while her husband Albert was an electrician. Because of this, there would be many nights where Marie was left alone in her home at night. The crime rate in her neighborhood was very high and the police typically took a lot of time to arrive in her neighborhood. This led the Browns to invent the first home security system.[3]
On August 1, 1966, Marie and her husband submitted a patent application for their invention.
Their invention consisted of several lensed peepholes with covers, a vertically sliding camera, television monitors, and microphones. The camera could go from peephole to peephole. The camera was connected to the television monitors inside the home. The television monitors allowed the occupant to see who was at the door without opening it while the microphone allowed them to speak with whoever was outside. There was also a facility to unlock the door using a remote button. The patent also mentions the possibility of forwarding sound or vision to a security center, or recording them. A pushbutton alarm system to contact police or others us also included. The patent cited other inventors, including Edward D. Phinney and Thomas J. Reardon, as well as RCA's Closed Circuit Television Systems, Book I, pp. 182-186, 1958.[5]
The patent was granted by the government on December 2, 1969. Four days later, the New York Times ran an article on their invention.[4][8]
While they hoped to interest manufacturers and home builders, they did not succeed.[9] The cost of the equipment at that time would have been very high.[9] The Browns proposed to build the system in their home, to increase interest.[6]
Marie was recognized for her innovation and received an award from the National Scientists Committee,[who?][3] making her a part of an elite group of African-American inventors and scientists." Brown was quoted in the New York Times as saying that with her invention "a woman alone could set off an alarm immediately by pressing a button, or if the system were installed in a doctor's office, it might prevent holdups by drug addicts."[6]
The invention was the first closed-circuit television security system and is the predecessor to modern home systems today.[10] It was the foundation for video monitoring, remote-controlled door locks, push-button alarm triggers, instant messaging to security providers and police, as well as two-way voice communication.[7] Brown's invention has led to the creation of new home security systems that rely on video systems, remote door locks, and quick emergency response actions. The fame of Brown's device also led to the more prevalent CCTV surveillance in public areas.[4]
Marie Van Brittan Brown's invention of the home security system provided the foundation for security systems in places other than homes to develop, including in businesses and banks.[11] The Brown's patent has been cited in 38 patent applications, as of 2024.[11] After the patent was approved in 1969, the media coverage stopped.[6]