Hidden Sea Signals explores the fascinating history and technology of lighthouses, revealing how these beacons served as vital pre-digital communication hubs for maritime navigation and global commerce. Far from being simple structures, lighthouses housed sophisticated systems employing light, fog, and radio signals, all managed by dedicated keepers. The book highlights how the evolution of lighthouse technology, from basic coal fires to advanced Fresnel lenses, dramatically improved signal precision and reliability, crucial for maritime safety.
The book progresses by first detailing the technological foundations of lighthouses, then examining the lives and work of the keepers, and finally analyzing case studies of maritime incidents where signaling played a critical role. By drawing on archival records, personal journals, and oral histories, Hidden Sea Signals paints a vivid picture of this bygone era.
The book uniquely emphasizes how lighthouse communication formed a sophisticated technological network, essential for maritime safety and global trade, long before modern digital systems.
