The AM Forum

I've always had a fascination with Hiram.   He certainly had an interesting life.

Here's a composite of old photos you may enjoy.


Interesting that the first photo shows a newspaper article that said he died of a throat infection. (Sadly, before antibiotics were available)

I understand that he was one of the first to own an automobile in CT.

T

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Did you know:  HPM was so young when he started at MIT, (age 16), his mother and sister took up residence to look after him!

Fantastic pictures Tom and thanks for posting them.  HPM was quite the guy and the legacy he left us with his vision is not to be underestimated. 

Regardless of what you think about the League, we all owe a great deal to HPM. 

Joe, GMS

Speaking of Hiram, he had some interesting inspiration back in 1929. 

Joe, W3GMS

A machine gun,A silencer and a "pipe of Peace"...Interesting Guy...He was told the pipe might damage his reputation....(It was designed to treat his bronchitis)..He said ..It's OK to invent a killing machine but not the same for a device that helps human suffering..

I liked the "amateur" article, Joe.  Yes, we certainly fit the mold.


As we know, Hiram's father invented the first marketable machine gun that was used a lot in WWI.  I think the "Sir" Maxim pipe was another product of his father.  Did he make it for his son?

Hiram certainly had the money - to attend MIT and buy about anything he wished.

There have been tens of thousands of men who have invented weapons of war over the centuries. Are they responsible for the deaths of millions?  Tough call.   I suppose if the USA didn't progress in weaponry, we'd have been part of the UK or Germany long ago.   It's like the producers of cigarettes  and alcohol - debatable.

T

Without straying to far from Hiram's attributes about radio and his creed, I have always believed that a strong military is a must.  Hopefully one never has to use it, but its something you need in your back pocket! 

On a radio level, its like your running QRP and someone says "he is piss weak, so lets just take the frequency".  Not that others won't try to take the frequency, but its less likely if you have a strong signal.  If you have poor military strength, just watch who will come barking at your back door. 

Joe, GMS   

The guy had some awesome hair!

He also held a patent for an electric car from 1904. Seems all the hype about electric cars these days is about a century behind the times.

BTW, he's buried in Hagerstown, MD. One of these days, I'm going to visit the grave site.

Things weren't all happy in the Maxim family.

Hiram S. Maxim (later Sir Hiram), abandoned his wife and children when our HPM was ten years old, 1880, moved to England and renounced his US citizenship in 1900.  He subsequently remarried.

For me at least, all the more reason to admire HPM's accomplishments even with a rocky and less than ideal childhood.  Sometimes those that accomplish the greatest things come from a far less than ideal childhood.     

Joe, GMS

Yeah, my tailor and hair stylist from NJ sent me a composite of what I will look like in the new Hiram outfit I ordered. Just in time for NearFest.  

What ya think?

T

Very Very Scary! Ham radio is getting too fashion conscious!

(http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=37001.0;attach=44522;image)(http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=37001.0;attach=44606;image)(http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=28323.0;attach=27413;image)(http://amfone.net/Amforum/gallery/25_30_09_14_2_22_12.jpg)

Pretty close!   ;)

Needs a chin strap. No, a better idea. A beret. He'll be stylin fer sure.


klc

More Brylcream!!

I agree, as long as it's actually still yours and not controlled by foreign lobbyists.

73,

Kevin, WB4AIO.

It's the hair. Something about the hair.

Hair today, gone tomorrow!

He makes me think of Don, K4KYV.