Marie Van Brittan Brown lived in Queens, New York, where at the time, the crime rate was pretty high. Afraid for her safety, Marie became the inventor of the first home security system. 

Her invention allowed her to see anyone at her front door using peepholes and camera monitors. There was a two-way microphone that allowed Marie to talk to people as well. Like most home security systems today, an alarm button could be pressed to contact the police. 

Her and her husband, Albert Brown were awarded a patent in 1966.