Marie Van Brittan Brown

Marie Van Brittan Brown (October 30, 1922 – February 2, 1999) was a nurse and an innovator. Brown was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York.

Marie was concerned about the increase in crime in her Queens neighbourhood and decided to take action. In 1966, she invented a video home security system along with her husband Albert Brown, an electronics technician. In the same year, they applied for a patent for their innovative security system, which was granted in 1969.

Marie worked long hours as a nurse and was often alone at home when Albert was at work. During this time, she worked on her patent and used peep holes, two way radios and cameras to develop the concept. It was due to the brilliance and innovation that Marie displayed, along with that of Albert, that the home security system was seen through to its final conception. This invention revolutionized the security industry, has deterred crime and has given residents all over the world a sense of safety.