Maxim
SIR HIRAM STEVENS, an MAXIMALISTS leyan Seminary, later entering the printing and subscription business at Pittsfield, Mass. He took up the business of ordnance and explosives in 1888 and was the first to manufacture smokeless powder in the United States, submitting HUDSON MAXIM samples to the government. Built dynamite factory and smokeless powder mill and sold his inventions to the E. I. du Pont de Nemours Co., becoming consult. ing engineer to the company. His other inventions include motorite, for driving torpedoes, stabilite, a smokeless powder and torpedo ram. He is author of "The Science of Poetry and Philosophy of American inventor; born in Sanger- Language" (1910), and other works. ville, Me., Feb. 5, 1840; received a common school education; secured his scientific knowledge by reading and attending lectures; was employed in various iron works; and removed to England in 1881.
He patented numerous inventions, includ ing incandescent lamps, self-regulating current machines, the "Cordite" smoke less powder, etc.; devoted much attention to the problem of aërial navigation; but was best known as the inventor of the Maxim gun. He was manager of the firm of Vickers, Sons & Maxim, and a member of numerous American and European scientific and engineering societies. Early in 1901 he was knighted by Queen Victoria. He became a citizen of Great Britain, alleging unfair treatment of his inventions in the United States.
His autobiography was published in 1915, He died in 1916.