The History of Home Alarm Systems

First System

• L.H. McCollough is credited with making the first alarm system in 1874. The system was constructed with a simple electrical wire connected to a transmitter that sent pulses along an electrical copper wire to a receiver.

Early Systems

• Wealthier individuals who had valuables and goods were the primary purchasers of early alarm systems because they were the only group who could afford them. Early alarm systems used Morse code and map grids to monitor a location connected to an alarm.

Alarms

• The alarms of the first home-security systems transmitted a high-pitched sound. These early alarms produced enough noise to alert occupants of homes that their residence was being invaded.

Monitoring

• Monitoring stations for home alarms evolved from early fire monitoring stations during the late 1800s. The concept of having telegraphed Morse code lines run from a central station to many fire watchtowers laid the foundation for the first central surveillance station to monitor residences.

Modern

• Modern home-security systems use alarms, infrared motion sensors, digital surveillance and contemporary monitoring stations. Monitoring is extremely efficient and emergency response time for triggered alarms has improved dramatically due to technology.