In 1882, an American woman inventor, Maria E. Beasley, received a patent for a life raft with collapsible metal floats, airtight containers, and features that allowed use after overturning. Her work followed an 1880 raft patent and formed part of her invention career. Beasley secured 15 U.S. patents between 1878 and 1898, including devices linked to barrel making, transport safety, manufacturing, and other practical problems of her time in industry.