History of Flares

The Ancient Origins: 13th Century China

The earliest roots of the traditional pyrotechnic flare trace back to 13th-century China. Following the invention of gunpowder, early Chinese dynasties developed the first signaling rockets and fireworks. Initially used for military communication and weaponry, these ancient pyrotechnics laid the pre-electric groundwork for the chemical flares that would eventually make their way to the maritime world centuries later.

When Were Marine Flares Invented?

The modern maritime pyrotechnic flare was patented in 1859 by Martha Coston — nearly 20 years before Thomas Edison demonstrated his practical incandescent light bulb in 1879. After her husband’s death, Coston discovered his preliminary sketches for a night signaling system and spent nearly a decade perfecting it. She developed reliable red, white, and green flares that could be combined into coded messages, creating the first practical system for ships to communicate over long distances in complete darkness. Her invention, known as Coston Night Signals, earned U.S. Patent #23,536 on April 5, 1859.

The Civil War: Flares as a Tactical Advantage

Before the Civil War, naval communication at night relied almost entirely on lanterns and flags, which were limited by distance, weather, and visibility. Coston’s flares changed that. The Union Navy adopted her color-coded pyrotechnic system early in the conflict, giving ships the ability to coordinate attacks, execute rescues, and maintain the blockade under cover of darkness. The technology proved so valuable that in 1861 Congress authorized the purchase of the patent rights for $20,000 (less than the $40,000 she had requested). Martha Coston patriotically supplied the flares to the Navy at cost for the duration of the war — often at a significant financial loss to her company — helping to save lives and contribute to key Union victories.

When Were Flare Guns Invented?

The flare gun (also known as a Very pistol) was invented in 1877 by Edward Wilson Very, a U.S. Navy officer. He developed a single-shot, breech-loading pistol that fired special colored flare cartridges into the air. This allowed for higher-altitude signaling that could be seen from much farther away. Flare guns were later heavily weaponized and used for illumination during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

The Danger of “Caveman” Technology

While the history of the flare gun is fascinating, the core pyrotechnic technology has changed very little since its ancient Chinese origins. Today, traditional pyrotechnic flares remain as much of a safety hazard as they were centuries ago.

Pyrotechnic flare guns are classified as Class 1.4 explosives. Strangely, for an item meant to save lives, they have been responsible for numerous deaths, injuries, and fires on boats. Furthermore, these traditional flares contain potassium perchlorate. If expired flares are improperly disposed of, this chemical can lead to long-term contamination of drinking water, prompting strict regulations from the EPA and states like California and Massachusetts.

The Next Evolution: Electronic Flares (eVDSDs)

For decades, boaters were forced to rely on this dangerous, outdated pyrotechnic technology. At Sirius Signal, we believe your safety shouldn’t be compromised by your safety equipment.

That is why we evolved the distress signal. Holding nine U.S. patents, Sirius Signal developed the first U.S. Coast Guard-approved LED electronic flare. Today, modern eVDSDs (Electronic Visual Distress Signaling Devices) use high-intensity LEDs and Infrared (IR) strobes to signal for help—without the fire, explosives, or toxic chemicals.

Stop relying on 13th-century technology. Upgrade to the 21st century with Sirius Signal.