Cut to Black: Did You Know? Marie Van Brittan Brown

African American Steering Committee this year would like to take note of some of its rich history featuring notable creatives, artisans, scientists and leaders. This year’s Cut To Black “Did you know?” will celebrate inventors and their inventions of everyday objects that have contributed to the storytelling of films and television.

Marie Van Brittan Brown
October 1922 – February 1999

Marie Van Brittan Brown was an African American woman who contributed her livelihood to the invention of the first home security system. She was born in 1922 in Queens, New York, she greatly saw the importance of protection in her area- while being a nurse.

Her invention consisted of a two-way monitor, peepholes, a camera, monitors, and an alarm button that could contact police immediately when pressed. The patent read: “The system includes a video scanning device at the entrance door of the house to scan a visitor outside the door, and includes audio intercommunication equipment inside and outside the door for conversing with the [visitor] outside the door.” Peepholes were placed on the front door at different heights to account for people of various heights including children. A camera that slides up and down to allow someone to see through each peephole was attached on the opposite side of the door. The camera images would reflect on the monitor via a wireless system that was placed in another part of the house. There was also a voice component to enable Brown to speak to the person outside. If the person was perceived to be an intruder, the police would be notified with the push of a button. If the person was welcomed or an expected visitor, the door could be unlocked via remote control. Brown and her husband filed for a patent on August 1, 1966. They received a patent for the invention under the U.S. Patent number 3,482,037 on December 6, 1969. Brown died on February 2, 1999, at 76, at their Queens home. She didn’t live long enough to see the future developments of her invention. Her security system was the basis for the two-way communication and surveillance features of modern security. Her closed-circuit system is still being referenced by other patents. Although Brown’s security system was initially intended for home use, it has become an everyday necessity for almost all business establishments. By creating a system that made her feel safer in her own home, Brown simultaneously established a foundation for the future of all home security technology. Her daughter also followed in her footsteps by becoming a nurse and inventor. She also received an award from the National Science Committee for the invention of the home security system.