A mirrored elevator selfie.
Even though I know good and well the elevators in my building have closed circuit TV.
Guess who has two thumbs and gives zero damns? THIS GIRL.
And those security guards have probably seen me:
• Put on lipstick
• Check for food stuck in my teeth
• Check for mocos
• Fix my tights/stockings/leggings (as leggings not pants)
• Stretch. What? An empty elevator is a great place to stretch out for a couple seconds.
• Flee. Because one time this dude DUCKED to get into the elevator and y’all KNOW I’m not having that.
I’m pretty sure they’ve seen worse. Because people are gross when they think they’re alone. [You’re neverrrr alooooone] *
And basically we have Marie Van Brittan Brown to thank for that.
Marie was an African-American inventor, who became the originator of the home security system (patent number 3,482,037) in 1966, along with her husband Albert Brown (the patent was granted in 1969). For her invention she received an award from the National Science Committee.
Marie worked as a nurse and her husband, Albert Brown, worked as an electronics technician. Their work hours were not the standard 9-5, and the crime rate in their Queens, New York City neighborhood was very high. Even when the police were contacted in the event of an emergency, the response time tended to be slow.** [The more things change, the more they stay the same] As a result, Brown looked for ways to increase her level of personal security. She needed to create a system that would allow her to know who was at her home and contact relevant authorities as quickly as possible.
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.
Although the system was originally intended for domestic uses, many businesses began to adopt her system due to its effectiveness. The Browns’ patent was later referenced by thirteen other inventors including some as recently as 2013.
* You know how certain phrases make you think of song lyrics (and people)? This one does that. HI KAREN. LOVE YOU!
** Just in case all you thought I listened to was alternative and gospel. YOU’RE WELCOME.
Yeah I said it 