Meet STEM Innovator Marie Van Brittan: Inventor of the Modern Home Security System

This final day of Black History Month, YALA celebrates Marie Van Brittan Brown, the visionary nurse who invented the first home security system in 1966. Her groundbreaking work has paved the way for the advanced security technologies we rely on today.

Marie Van Brittan Brown is shown here with a drawing of the security system she and her husband Albert Brown patented in 1969.

Ever used a video doorbell or home security camera? Thank Marie Van Brittan Brown! In 1966, she and her husband, Albert Brown, designed a closed-circuit TV system with a peephole camera, a monitor, and a two-way microphone—the foundation of today’s home security systems!

In 1966, Marie Van Brittan Brown, a nurse from New York City, revolutionized home safety by inventing the first home security system.

In the 1960s, crime in Queens, New York, was rising, and police response times were slow. That didn’t sit well with Marie Van Brittan Brown, a 43-year-old nurse who often found herself home alone at night. 

Determined to improve safety, she teamed up with her husband, an electronics technician, to create something revolutionary—the first-ever home security system.Their 1966 invention featured peepholes, a camera, monitors, a two-way microphone, and even a button to contact police—technology far ahead of its time. 

Cove Security Systems Publish this New York Times story about the Browns and their patent.

The couple patented their “Home Security System Utilizing Television Surveillance”, which was approved on December 2, 1969.

While today’s security systems are more advanced, Brown’s innovation laid the foundation for video surveillance and alarm systems used in homes and businesses worldwide. Her creativity not only enhanced personal safety but also pioneered an industry that is now worth billions.

Marie Van Brittan Brown’s story is a powerful reminder that necessity drives innovation—and that one person’s idea can shape the future. Marie’s innovation was driven by the desire to feel safe in her own home, inspiring countless advancements in security systems today.

Why She’s Important

✅ First-ever home security system patent (1969)
✅ Her invention inspired modern security cameras, video doorbells, and intercoms
✅ Recognized by the National Science Foundation for her innovation

STEM Challenge!

💬 What’s the most important feature in a security system today? Motion detectors? Cameras? Alarms?

🔎 "Design Your Own Security System!"
🎨 Draw or describe your own security system. What features would it have? Would it be voice-activated, use AI, or have fingerprint access?

📚 Kid-Friendly Sources for Families

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