The Irony of Innovation The Maxim Family Legacy In 1884 Hiram Maxim changed warfare forever with his invention of the worlds first fully automatic machine gun. The Maxim gun, capable of firing 600 rounds per minute, would soon become the weapon that defined modern combat and tragically fueled the unprecedented casualties of World War I. What few people know is the personal price Maxim paid for his deadly creation. Years of testing his thunderous weapon without hearing protection gradually destro

Sir Hiram Maxim is best known as the creator of the first automatic machine gun, the Maxim gun. In addition to this groundbreaking invention, Maxim held patents for various mechanical devices including hair curling irons, a mousetraps, and steam pumps. Although some sources credit him with inventing the lighbulb, it is important to note that the invention of the lightbulb is generally attributed to Thomas Edison. | History In Pictures