(1840-1916) was born in Sangerville February 5, 1840 and was famous for inventing the machine gun, ironically a “sanguinary” (bloody) instrument of warfare.
Among other things, he invented smokeless powder for guns, a gas generator, a gas headlight for locomotives, automatic steam and vacuum pumps, and engine governors.
According to Maine: A Guide Downeast,
In 1881 certain of his electric patents were put into ‘interface’ with [inventor Thomas A.] Edison’s, and in four trials, decisions were in Maxim’s favor. The Maxim gun was completed only after he had acquired a fortune from other inventions following the establishment of his own factory in England. . . After a demonstration in Switzerland, the government of that country gave him an order, with Italy, Austria, and then England following suit.
For his contributions to effective warfare, the inventor received honors and decorations from nearly every sovereign of Europe.
Though the United States did not adopt the weapon until the war with Spain in 1898, it was used in World War I by many nations and was responsible for the slaughter of many combatants in the terrible trench warfare that characterized that conflict.
His son, Hiram Percy Maxim (1869-1936) was a pioneer of Amateur Radio and in producing home movies, a collection of which is at Northeast Historic Film in Bucksport. He also produced a silencer for firearms.
Sir Hiram died on November 24, 1916, in London.
Additional resources
Hawkey, Arthur. The Amazing Hiram Maxim: An Intimate Biography. Staplehurst. Spellmount. 2001. [Maine State Library]
Isaacson, Dorris. Maine:A Guide Downeast.
McCallum, Iain. Blood Brothers: Hiram and Hudson Maxim; Pioneers of Modern Warfare. London. Chatham. 1999. [Maine State Library]
Sprague, John Francis. Sir Hiram Maxim, Inventor of the Machine Gun, A World Genius and a Native of Piscataquis County, Maine. Dover, Me. 1917.