Marie van Brittan Brown: Creating CCTV in Queens

Marie Van Brittan Brown, an African American nurse from Queens, invented the first home security system in the 1960s. Her innovation significantly contributed to the reduction of property crime in the US. Despite her groundbreaking work, much of the credit was initially given to her husband. Her invention utilized existing closed-circuit television technology and included features like peepholes, a camera, monitors, a two-way radio, and a panic button. The Patent Office recognized her as the primary creator in 1969, highlighting her as a hidden historical hero.

What societal issues in the 1960s motivated Marie Van Brittan Brown to invent the home security system?

• Government incentives for inventors

• Increased demand for luxury home features

• Technological advancements in home appliances

• Rising crime rates and ineffective policing

Which of the following was NOT a feature of Marie Van Brittan Brown's home security system?

• A motion sensor alarm

• A camera that could move between peepholes

• A two-way radio system for communication

• A remote control for locking the door

How did Marie Van Brittan Brown's invention utilize existing technology?

• By using wireless internet connectivity

• By employing satellite communication

• By incorporating closed circuit television technology

• By integrating smartphone applications

In what year did the Patent Office recognize Marie Van Brittan Brown as the primary creator of the home security system?

• 1965

• 1972

• 1980

• 1969

What was the impact of Marie Van Brittan Brown's invention on modern society?

• It led to the development of luxury home features.

• It was quickly replaced by more advanced technology.

• It was primarily used in commercial buildings.

• It became the foundation for modern home security systems.