When were burglar alarms invented?

Question

When were burglar alarms invented?

Answer 1

when mr burgler had his house broken into and decided to invent an alarm to protect it

Answer 2

about the time dogs where domesticated.

Answer 3

Definitely in use by 1899 as they are mentioned in the wonderful "Raffles" books by E W Hornung

As you would need a reliable source of electricity, mains or accumulator then I can't see them being possible before about the 1840s

this -> http://www.buzzle.com/articles/burglar-a... <- article claims the first electric alarm was invented in 1850 and a simple mechanical system at an unspecified earlier date

Answer 4

The first were dogs and the Romans used geese which were kept because they caused great noise at approach of strangers.