Martha J. Coston, Signal Success Quotes

A collection of quotes by Martha J. Coston, Signal Success.

Martha J. Coston was an American inventor and businesswoman who is best known for inventing the Coston Signal System. Born on December 12, 1826, in Baltimore, Maryland, Coston grew up with a strong interest in science and engineering. Unfortunately, her father, Benjamin Franklin Coston, passed away when she was just five years old, leaving her family in financial struggle.

After marrying Benjamin Franklin Coston's cousin, Pyrotechnist Benjamin Franklin Coston, Martha J. Coston was inspired to honor her late father's work as an inventor. She set out to create a signaling system for maritime communications that could be used in emergency situations. In the mid-1850s, Coston successfully developed a system that utilized different combinations of colored flares and signals, providing multiple ways to convey messages at sea.

With her invention, Coston created the Coston Signal System, which greatly improved maritime communication and safety. She personally advocated for her system to be adopted by the United States Navy and eventually secured a contract with them in 1859. During the American Civil War, her signaling system played a crucial role in naval operations.

Martha J. Coston's invention brought her significant recognition and success, earning her various awards and honors. She continued to run her own business, the Coston Signal Company, until her retirement. Martha J. Coston passed away on July 6, 1904, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneering female inventor in the field of maritime communication.