Jamaica, New York (October 20, 1922 -February 2, 1999) age 76 yrs

Marie Van Brittan Brown, an African American, was the original inventor of the home security system in 1966. She invented it along with her husband, Albert Brown. A patent was granted in 1969. Mrs. Brown, a 43-year-old nurse who worked long hours, felt uneasy in her neighborhood and the police were unreliable. So, she took matters in her own hands and patented the modern home security system. Over 50 years later, the technology is installed in millions of homes and offices worldwide.