Who Invented Home Security Systems?
The Story of Marie Van Brittan Brown and the Birth of Modern Home Security
When we think of home security today, we picture sleek smart cameras, motion sensors, and mobile alerts. But the roots of this technology trace back to a remarkable woman named Marie Van Brittan Brown, who, along with her husband Albert L. Brown, invented the first home security system in 1966.
A Vision Born from Necessity
Marie Van Brittan Brown was a nurse living in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Working irregular hours and often returning home late, she felt unsafe in her neighborhood, especially as crime rates were rising and police response times were slow.
Her husband, Albert, was an electronics technician, and together they set out to create a system that would help them feel more secure in their own home.
The Invention That Changed Everything
The Browns’ invention was groundbreaking. Their system included:
Four peepholes at different heights
A motorized camera that could slide vertically to view through each peephole
A television monitor inside the home to display the camera feed
A two-way microphone and speaker for communication
A remote-controlled door lock
An alarm button to alert authorities
This was the first time closed-circuit television (CCTV) was proposed for residential use—a concept previously limited to military and industrial applications.
Patent and Legacy
The Browns filed for a patent in 1966, and it was granted in 1969. Although their system was never mass-produced, it laid the foundation for modern home security systems. Marie was listed as the lead inventor, and her design has since been cited in over 30 subsequent patents.
Ahead of Their Time
Despite the innovation, the Browns’ system was considered too advanced and expensive for widespread adoption at the time. Still, their work inspired future developments in home surveillance, remote monitoring, and smart home integration.
Today, the home security industry is a multi-billion-dollar market, and many of its core features—video surveillance, remote access, and emergency alerts—can be traced back to the Browns’ original blueprint.
Marie Van Brittan Brown’s invention was more than a technical achievement—it was a response to a deeply personal need for safety and peace of mind. Her legacy lives on in every smart doorbell, security camera, and home monitoring app we use today. She not only pioneered a new industry but also empowered homeowners to take control of their own security.
