In 1858, Martha Coston, an American inventor, developed the Pyrotechnic Night Signals System, known as Coston Flares. Initially met with skepticism from naval forces and ship operators, adoption was slow due to concerns about reliability and training. Despite these challenges, Coston Flares eventually became widely used, improving maritime safety and communication. The early resistance delayed its potential impact, but the system later established itself as a critical tool for naval coordination.