Edward Bindon Marten: Sanitation Engineering and Industrial Safety in the Black Country

This article explores the career of Edward Bindon Marten, a civil and mechanical engineer based in the Black Country during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It focuses on his role in sanitation engineering and industrial safety. In order to place him within the context of his time, the sanitary state of the nation and the Black Country is examined, as are steam boiler explosions including their consequences and prevention. Marten’s work supplying clean water, building an effective sewerage system, inspecting steam boilers and undertaking accident analysis for coroners’ inquests is explored. His non-technical abilities are also analysed, including his talent for communicating his knowledge and advice to a wide audience in an engaging manner. The article concludes that Marten made an important contribution to improving Black Country sanitary conditions, and to Black Country and nationwide industrial safety, and was a significant figure in the Black Country and beyond.