Marie Van Brittan Brown

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03.04.25

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Themed Timelines

Early Life and Family Timeline

Nursing Career Timeline

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Impact and Legacy Timeline

Invention and Patent Timeline

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Home Security System Details Timeline

Main Milestones

Birth of Marie Van Brittan

October 30, 1922

Marie Van Brittan was born on this date. While specific details about her early childhood are limited, her upbringing undoubtedly shaped the resourceful and innovative woman she would become. Growing up in an era marked by racial segregation and inequality likely fostered resilience and a determination to improve her circumstances and the safety of her community.

Nursing Career

1950s-1960s

Marie Van Brittan dedicated her professional life to nursing. Working long and often irregular hours as a nurse likely exposed her to the vulnerabilities of individuals and families, potentially contributing to her heightened awareness of personal safety and security concerns within her own community. It demanded problem solving skills, and an awareness of her community.

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Brief

Known For

Inventing a home security system, along with her husband Albert Brown, and receiving a patent for it in 1969 (U.S. Patent 3,482,037). This system included a motorized camera that could slide to different peepholes, a monitor to view the images, and a two-way microphone to communicate with anyone at the door. The system was designed to alert the homeowner and also contact the police or security company with the push of a button.

Daily Chronicle

2 February, 1999

Marie Van Brittan Brown died in Queens, New York, at the age of 76. This date marks the end of the life of an inventor whose work has had a lasting impact on home security technology.

6 December, 1969

The New York Times reported on Marie Van Brittan Brown and Albert L. Brown's invention in their weekly patents report, including a photo of the Browns. The article quoted Marie Van Brittan Brown saying that her invention would allow a woman home alone to quickly alert the authorities or prevent drug addicts from robbing a doctor's office.

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Marie Van Brittan Brown

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