Why She Chose to Invent a Home Security System – The Story of Marie Van Brittan Brown

Just think for a moment…

What if someone comes to your door, and you’re alone at home — what will you do?

What if a stranger rings the bell, and you don’t know who it is — will you open the door?

And if something goes wrong, can you trust the police to reach on time?

Scary, right?

This is exactly what Marie Van Brittan Brown used to feel.

She lived in Queens, New York, in a time when crimes were increasing, and the police were often late to respond. Marie was a nurse, and her husband worked as an electronics technician. They both had different work hours, and sometimes, she was home all alone.

She felt unsafe — and instead of waiting for help, she decided to create her own home security system.

In this blog, you’ll learn why Marie Brown chose to invent the home security system, what problems she faced, and how her smart idea changed the way we protect our homes today.

2. The Crime-Ridden Reality of 1960s Queens, New York

Here’s where the real story begins.

Marie Van Brittan Brown lived in Queens, New York — and back then, it was not a safe place at all.

Crime in her area was getting worse. People were always scared of theft and break-ins — someone could forcefully enter their homes anytime. In some cases, criminals even entered while families were still inside the house.

Because of this situation, people didn’t feel safe in their own homes — and Marie felt the same.

To be honest, if we were in her place, we would have been scared too.

And the biggest problem was that the police never came on time. Even in emergencies, when people called for help, the response was slow. They had to wait, feeling helpless.

Marie also had to deal with this fear. She and her husband worked different shifts — and many 

at times, she was alone at home. That made her feel even more unsafe.

A home is supposed to give you peace — but in that neighborhood, people were living with fear every day.

3. Marie’s Personal & Professional Life

Marie Van Brittan Brown was a nurse and, just like any other nurse, her shifts were not fixed. Sometimes she worked in the daytime, while other times she worked throughout the night.

Albert Brown, her husband, had a different work schedule as an electronics technician. Hence, more often than not, Marie was left alone at home. 

With insecurity lurking in her mind, she felt frightened and concerned by her isolated existence in an unsafe neighborhood. There was always that feeling of insecurity.

She didn’t want to depend on anyone else for protection.

She thought, “I should do something that helps me feel safe, even when I’m alone.”

In that moment of fear, a smart and bold idea was born in her mind……..

• What if I could see who is at the door without opening it?
• What if I could call the police instantly if I felt danger?

She thought there should be a way to see who’s outside without opening the door,

and if something felt wrong, she should be able to contact the police immediately.

But this idea wasn’t just about her own safety —

Marie wanted to create something that could help others feel secure too.

She believed that everyone deserves to feel safe inside their own home.

This became a turning point in her life —

a moment where she chose action over fear.

She made up her mind:

It’s time to do something — not just for myself, but for everyone who feels the same fear I do. 

These simple thoughts became the beginning of something big —

The invention of a home security system, which is now used in homes all over the world.

The Invention: What Made Her System Unique

Marie didn’t just imagine a solution —

She built a smart system that was far ahead of its time and truly practical.

Here’s what made her invention stand out:

1. She installed three peepholes on the front door at different heights —

one for tall adults, one for average-height people, and one for children.

This made sure that anyone inside the house could see who was outside, no matter their height.

2. She placed a camera behind the door that could move up and down,

so it could look through each peephole.

The video was then sent wirelessly to a monitor inside the house,

allowing people to check who was at the door without getting close.

3. She also added a two-way microphone,

so you could speak to the visitor without having to open the door — smart and safe.

4. One of the most powerful features was the alarm button.

If there was any threat or danger, pressing the button would immediately alert the police —

giving the homeowner quick access to help.

5. And to top it all off, she included a remote-controlled door lock,

so the door could be opened or locked from a safe distance — giving complete control to the person inside.

6. The Patent & Recognition

Marie and her husband didn’t just stop at building the system —

they made sure it was officially protected.

1. In 1966, they filed a patent for their invention.

The title was: “Home Security System Utilizing Television Surveillance” —

a fancy way of saying a security system using a camera and screen.

2. The patent was approved in 1969, and that made Marie one of the first Black women in the U.S. to receive a patent for a home technology invention.

3. Her work was noticed and appreciated —

She was recognized by the National Scientists Committee,

which was a big honor at the time.

4. She was also featured in The New York Times in December 1969,

bringing more attention to her brilliant idea.

7. Her Legacy in Modern Home Security

Marie Van Brittan Brown’s invention didn’t just solve a personal problem —

It became the foundation of the smart home security systems we use today.

Her original idea inspired features like:

1. CCTV systems — the concept of watching who’s at the door through a live video feed

2. Smart video doorbells — like Ring and Nest, which let you see and talk to visitors from your phone

3. Two-way audio systems — so you can communicate safely without opening the door

4. Remote door locks — that let you lock or unlock your door from anywhere

5. Instant alert systems — to notify police or security teams in emergencies

6. Even after decades, her patent was referenced in other inventions — as late as 2013!

That shows just how timeless and powerful her idea was.

Today, her influence can be seen in homes, offices, apartment buildings, and smart cities all over the world.

She didn’t just create a system —

She gave the world a sense of safety.

8. Inspiration for Future Generations

Marie Van Brittan Brown’s story didn’t end with her invention —

it became a spark of inspiration for many others, including her own family.

1. Her daughter, Norma Brown, also followed in her footsteps.

Just like her mother, she became a nurse and an inventor — proving that the drive to solve problems ran in the family.

2. Marie showed that real-life problems can lead to great inventions —

you don’t need a lab or fancy tools, just a strong reason and a smart mind.

3. In a time when not many women — especially Black women — were seen in science or technology,

Marie stood tall as a powerful example of what’s possible.

• Her journey continues to inspire young girls, inventors, and everyday problem-solvers around the world.
• She proved that you don’t have to wait for change — you can create it.

FAQ

Q1: Why did Marie Van Brittan Brown invent the home security system?

A: Because she didn’t feel safe in her neighborhood.

She worked unusual hours and was often home alone.

Plus, the police response was slow — so she decided to create a way to protect herself.

Q2: What made her system different from modern ones?

A: Her system was the first of its kind.

It included peepholes, a movable camera, a monitor inside the house, a two-way microphone, and even an emergency alarm button.

These became the foundation for today’s smart security systems.

Q3: Did Marie Brown work in tech?

No, she was actually a nurse.Her husband, Albert Brown, was an electronics technician, and he helped bring her idea to life.

Q4: Was her invention recognized during her lifetime?

Yes! She received recognition from the National Scientists Committee, and her story was even featured in The New York Times in 1969.

Q5: Is her invention still relevant today?

Absolutely. Her ideas are still used in CCTV cameras, video doorbells, two-way communication systems, and remote door locks.

Her invention truly shaped the way we keep our homes safe.

Conclusion

Marie Van Brittan Brown’s invention wasn’t just about wires and cameras — it was about making people feel safe. Her simple idea turned into a big change that still protects millions today. She proved that you don’t need to be in tech to solve real problems — just courage and purpose.

If her story inspired you, share it with others — because real change starts with one strong idea.

And remember: stay alert, stay safe, and believe in your own power to create.