Hiram Maxim | |
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![]() Maxim c. 1916 | |
Born | Hiram Stevens Maxim 5 February 1840 Sangerville, Maine, U.S. |
Died | 24 November 1916 Streatham, London | (aged 76)
Resting place | West Norwood Cemetery 51°26′01″N 0°06′11″W / 51.43354°N 0.10314°W |
Occupation | Inventor |
Known for | Inventor of Maxim gun Claimed inventor of lightbulb |
Spouse(s) | Jane Budden (1867–1881?) Sarah Haynes (1881–1916, his death) |
Children | Hiram Percy Maxim Florence Maxim Cutter Adelaide Maxim Joubert |
Relatives | Hudson Maxim (brother) |
Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim (5 February 1840 – 24 November 1916) was an American-born British inventor best known as the creator of the first automatic machine gun, the Maxim gun.[1] Maxim held patents on numerous mechanical devices such as hair-curling irons, a mousetrap, and steam pumps. Maxim laid claim to inventing the lightbulb.[2][3]
Maxim experimented with powered flight; his large aircraft designs were never successful. He designed a highly successful amusement ride called the "Captive Flying Machine" to fund his research while generating public interest in flight.[4][5]
Maxim moved from the United States to the United Kingdom at the age of 41, and remained an American citizen until he became a naturalised British citizen in 1899, and received a knighthood in 1901.[6][7]
Hiram Maxim and light bulb.
Captive Flying Machine.