The New Student's Reference Work/Maxim, Sir Hiram S.

Max′im, Sir Hiram S., American inventor, was born in Maine, Feb. 5, 1840, and became famous as the inventor of the automatic cannon (q. v.) known by his name. His first completed gun was exhibited in 1884. The principle of this gun was making the recoil of the weapon load and fire the weapon. He succeeded in making a gun that would fire 600 shots a minute. The gun was first used in warfare by the British in Matabeleland. It was soon adopted by the French navy, and now, under various names, is in use by many governments. He also invented a smokeless powder (q. v.), incandescent lamps and search-lights to be used on board of men-of-war. He received a number of decorations from European courts. He was also made a member of many scientific associations. He has resided in England many years, and having transferred his citizenship to that country was knighted in 1901.