MEET MARIE VAN BRITTAN BROWN

It was 1966. Nurse Marie Van Brittan Brown lived in Jamaica, New York, with her husband, Albert, who was an electronics technician. Because Mr. Brown worked during the day and Ms. Brown worked at night, she worried about her personal safety, and she always wanted to know who was at her door when she was home alone.

Not satisfied with the traditional front door peephole, Ms. Brown—who was not an inventor at that point—conceived the first home security system. Albert’s knowledge of electronics came into play and here’s what they devised:

Multiple peepholes were drilled into the front door. A cabinet was affixed to the inside of the door, and in the cabinet was a camera that could be moved up and down remotely to scan the peepholes and send a video image of the visitor to a monitor in the bedroom (the camera moved up to get a look at tall visitors, and down to look at shorter people).

So, in the comfort and security of her bedroom, Ms. Brown could see who was at her front door. The bedroom technology also included a two-way microphone and speaker so that Ms. Brown could communicate with the person at the door, and featured buttons so that she could remotely lock the door or sound an alarm.

Three years later, Ms. Brown and her husband received a patent for her ingenious device, then called a “Home Security System Utilizing Television Surveillance.”

What Ms. Brown had invented was a means of feeling secure at home. But in doing so, she actually pioneered the use of closed-circuit television—with an audiovisual signal sent to a specific monitor (as opposed to broadcast TV, which offers pictures and images that millions could receive and watch at once).

This provided the foundation for security camera systems now used to monitor visitors to countless airports, banks, and shops. And of course, though more modern in shape, form, and functionality, they’re still widely used in homes and apartments around the globe. Today, with iPhone and iPad technology plus an additional device, you can see who’s at your front door and communicate with that person even if you’re not at home. And though you may not have to stand behind a closed door and ask, “Who’s there?,” now you know who was there first… Marie Van Brittan Brown.

THE JOKE’S ON YOU

Though I’m sure Ms. Brown had a good sense of humor, I’d also bet she didn’t enjoy hearing knock-knock jokes. I’d imagine if you’d tried to tell her one, it’d go something like this…

You: Knock, knock.

Ms. Brown: I already know who’s there. I can see you on the monitor in my bedroom. Please go tell that joke to someone else!

A CLOSED CIRCUIT SENSATION

When my daughter was a little girl, I’d take her grocery shopping every Saturday morning. As we entered the market, she’d see herself on the monitor and we’d have to stop for a few minutes so that she could “do a show.”

I’d say, “Live, from Peter’s Market… it’s the Simone Show!”

She’d sing. She’d wiggle out of the shopping cart and dance. She’d do magic tricks, such as making our shopping list disappear by crumpling it up and throwing it off camera.

People would walk by and tell me how cute she was (even if she was blocking the entrance). I’d tell them thank you, but she’d let them know that they couldn’t see her in person—they had to watch her “show” on the TV monitor.

Her weekly performances were adorable, and frankly, they were much better than most of the shows currently on TV.

Stay tuned. Simone will be right back. And be sure to catch the special sale on onions in the produce aisle!

GREATNESS CONTINUES…

Mr. and Ms. Brown had two daughters, one of whom (Norma) became a nurse and an inventor. She also specialized in the area of personal well-being.

I’m sure that in the case of her daughter Norma, Ms. Brown was very pleased that her daughter followed in her footsteps as a nurse and inventor.

I’m very hopeful that someday, one of my kids will follow in my footsteps and replace me… as the best author on earth.

IMPORTANT TIP

If you have a security camera, and you notice there’s someone at your front door who you don’t want to see, just remain silent. Because if you yell, “There’s nobody home!” that might give them the idea that there is somebody home.