A New York native Marie Van Brittan Brown was born in Jamaica Queens for her whole life, passing on February 2nd, 1999 she was 76 years old. Most notably, Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first home security system and her invention is the reason home security systems are still used today. Brown’s security system was the basis for the two-way communication and surveillance features of modern security. Her original invention was comprised of peepholes, a camera, monitors, and a two-way microphone. The final element was an alarm button that could be pressed to contact the police immediately. In 1969, Brown and her husband received a patent for the invention under the U.S. Patent number 3,482,037. Her invention was recognized in The New York Times and she received an award from the National Scientists Committee for her work. Men anpil chay pa lou.