People have been trying to safeguard their residences since the beginning of time. Cavemen used rocks and spears, kings dug moats and hired armies, and modern man relies on security camera systems and technology.
What a long way we’ve come. Maybe even more fascinating: Think of where we might be headed next. Even today’s devices, gadgets, and tech are so advanced that the security options of the future are sure to just keep bringing more and more advances and safety assurances.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s look at how we arrived at where we are today. Here’s a brief history of how home security design has evolved and changed through the decades.
The Rise of Home Security
Our modern era of home security started in earnest around the same time that people began moving to city suburbs. Prior to this, there were farmers, ranchers and heads of households all over who brandished firearms and trained dogs to keep themselves safe.
But it was the rise of homeownership after World War II — especially with some public program incentives in the 1960s — that started to make people think of neighborhoods and home protection through something of a new lens. Fences, new types of locks and other strategies began to be employed, and the home security industry we now know began to develop, within a suburban culture that remains fundamental to American culture today.
Home Alarm Systems
Fast forward a few decades and home security design started to become even more sophisticated. The most prominent example of this change was the widespread introduction of home alarm systems. Previously, these innovations were mostly reserved for businesses and the ultra-wealthy. But mainstream services began to pop up more, allowing for telephone-connected alerts that could either wake up all the neighbors or automatically, and more discreetly, call the cops.
It’s interesting to note that this era represents not just a change in technology. This was all happening at the same time when car alarms (“Protected by Viper, Stand Back”) hit the market in force and innovative products like The Club were attached to steering wheels to thwart car thieves. It was becoming clear that people wanted better ways to protect their property.
High Tech Takes Center Stage
Ever since, technology has increasingly played a major part in home security. Smart homes are rising in popularity with everything from home security camera systems to smart locks being implemented.
Cameras, in particular, have recently reached altogether new levels of capability and now offer an ideal blend of functionality, affordability and user friendliness. Top-of-the-line home security camera systems are now marked by cutting-edge features like color night vision, motion-activated push notifications to mobile devices and weather resistance that allows for outdoor mounting. Best of all, these new systems are virtually plug and play, making installation both quick and easy for even novice users.
Past, Present and Future of Home Security
It’s amazing how far we have come. After ages of the home security industry being a fringe service provider, it has now grown into an accessible, mainstream market that will be worth nearly $50 billion by 2020, RnRMarketResearch.com reports.
From the move to the suburbans and the first alarm systems to smart homes and modern security camera systems, homeowners now have more options than ever before to keep their families safe and sound.
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