INVENTOR OF THE HOME SECURITY SYSTEM

The inventor of the home security system was not trying to develop a product for America. She was only trying to secure her home while her husband was at work during the night. She had an “I gotta’ do something attitude” that caused her to mentally spring into action.

HOW DID SHE DO IT?

Marie Van Brittan Brown, along with husband Albert Brown, invented a “must-have” for today’s homeowner–a home security system. Most middle-class family homeowners see that as one of the building blocks of any home built in the 21st century. That was not the case for Ms. Brown in 1966. She was faced with being home alone while her husband worked a night job. Marie’s job was from nine to five. She and husband Albert were like “ships passing in the night.” So, they sought to balance work schedules.

THE MAKING OF A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM

The Browns lived in Jamaica, Queens, New York City–a place police took their time in responding to a home invasion. . . if at all. So, in order to sleep peacefully so that she could make her 9 AM to 5 PM shift, a solution had to be found to establish mental safety. What did she do? Assessing the situation, Marie had to find how she could determine who was on the other side of the door that separated the inside of her house from the outside. Thus, over time, she used a series of steps to achieve that.

HERE ARE THE STEPS

Step One: Make three (3) peepholes in the door. This would enable children, a tall and average height person to peep out of the holes and see who was on the other side.

Step Two: The peepholes probably worked for a while . The Browns decided installing a camera that adjusted from peephole to peephole, would be a better fit. The camera would allow all three heights to move quicker in getting a clearer view of the person standing outside the door.

THE INVENTOR OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM PROGRESSES

Step Three: What if Marie were in a room far away from the door and needed to view outside immediately,? What could be done to make that more effective? Use a wireless television system connected to a radio controlled wireless system. Make sure it can stream a video to any television in the house! Now you have a view of the outside could be achieved from anywhere in the house!

Step Four: Wouldn’t it be great to communicate with the person on the outside of the door? You know . . . maybe ask “Why are you here?” Well Marie and Albert created a 2-way microphone system for inside/outside communication. Now . . . they could finally relax, or could they?

CONNECT TO THE POLICE STATION

Step Five: The slow response of the police necessitated a quick way to get to the police to inform them they were needed immediately! To rectify that, the Browns invented a system that would alert police and other first responders quickly. The system tapped into the police station with just a tap of a button! Wow! What an invention! This invention changed the way the world used home security. We are grateful for the intellect, determination and a job well done by the Browns!

Question: Why does the media world give almost no recognition to the many African Americans whose inventions have made our lives more comfortable? You decide, I already have.