Martha Jane Hunt was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to William Hunt and his wife. Her early life was relatively comfortable, receiving a good education for a young woman of her time, which laid the foundation for her later pursuits.

In her late teens or early twenties, Martha married Benjamin Franklin Coston, a promising scientist and inventor. They would have four children together. Benjamin's work as a Navy scientist exposed Martha to the world of maritime signaling and innovation, although tragedy would soon strike.

Benjamin Coston's untimely death at a young age left Martha a widow with several children to support. She faced immense financial hardship and societal pressures, which served as a powerful motivator for her to find a way to provide for her family and give new meaning to her life. The original plans for the flare system were among his papers, but they were rudimentary and required substantial development.

Over the next decade, Martha dedicated herself to developing and refining the signaling flare concept she discovered amongst her late husband's papers. This period was marked by countless experiments, challenges in sourcing materials, and dealing with uncooperative pyrotechnicians. She tirelessly experimented with different compositions of pyrotechnic compounds and the mechanical aspects of the flare. She sought expert advice and tirelessly worked to perfect the design.

After years of relentless effort, Martha Coston finally secured a patent for her improved flare signaling system. This was a significant milestone, providing her with the legal protection necessary to manufacture and market her invention.

With patent in hand, Martha Coston founded the Coston Manufacturing Company to produce and sell her flares. As CEO of the company, she faced skepticism in a male-dominated business world, but her determination and the obvious usefulness of her invention helped her overcome the challenges. Her business savvy and personal charm allowed her to build critical relationships needed for success. She secured a contract with the US Navy soon after the outbreak of the Civil War.

The American Civil War proved to be a pivotal time for the Coston Manufacturing Company. The U.S. Navy adopted the Coston flares for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication, saving countless lives and playing a vital role in naval operations during the war. This period of conflict established the Coston flares as a standard signaling device.

After the Civil War, Coston continued to refine and expand her flare business, selling to international navies and merchant ships. Her flares were widely adopted as standard safety equipment. She worked to improve the design and the manufacturing process to stay competitive in the market.

Coston sued the U.S. government for infringing on her patent during the Civil War, as they had produced some of the flares themselves. She won the lawsuit in 1871 and was awarded compensation for the infringement, though it was a long and complex legal battle.

Martha Coston passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the age of 77. By the time of her death, her Coston flare system was used worldwide and had saved countless lives at sea, solidifying her legacy as a pioneering inventor and businesswoman.