Description:Sir Hiram Stevens Maxim (1840-1916) is described by Brysson Cunningham and Anita McConnell as an ‘engineer and inventor’. Most famous for his work with firearms, he invented the ‘fully automatic gun’ which became known as the Maxim gun. His design was used by the British Army and Navy and formed the basis for the British Vickers gun. In the 1890s Maxim became interested in aeronautical experiments producing a ‘steam-driven test rig’ which he trialled at Baldwyn’s Park, Bexley in Kent. Although his machine did lift from the ground, its design was too heavy and after other failed attempts Maxim abandoned his aeronautical ambitions.
(Based on Brysson Cunningham, ‘Maxim, Sir Hiram Stevens (1840–1916)’, rev. Anita McConnell, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/34954, accessed 18 Oct 2007]
Enthusiastic about modern technology, the third Duke of Sutherland was interested in the aeronautical experiments which took place in the late nineteenth century. He was personally acquainted with Hiram Maxim and letters in the Sutherland Papers Collection refer directly to Maxim’s experiments in Baldwyn’s Park which the Duke visited in the early 1890s.
Maxim’s Experiments in Baldwyn’s Park
Brian Riddle, Librarian of the Royal Aeronautical Society describes Maxim’s experiments which took place in Baldwyn’s Park between 1891 and 1894. He writes that Maxim constructed a huge biplane machine which made a short ‘hop’ flight in July 1894, raising itself from the rails on which it ran.
Information kindly supplied by Brian Riddle, Librarian of the Royal Aeronautical Society. For more information follow the link to the Royal Aeronautical Society Website www.aerosociety.com
On 3rd December 1890 Hiram Maxim wrote to the Duke of Sutherland regarding his aeronautical experiments. Mr. Brearey, the Honorary Secretary of the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain had contacted Maxim about the Duke’s wish ‘to witness some experiments’ which Maxim was ‘conducting’ in the ‘direction of Aerial Navigation’.
Maxim informs the Duke that his experiments were taking place ‘at Baldwyn’s Park’. Maxim’s letter states that he had ‘gone into’ the subject of Aerial Navigation ‘in a more thorough manner than any of my predecessors’, Maxim remarks that ‘where other men have speculated and written books’ he had ‘actually tried the experiments’ and learned ‘exactly the force required for flying’.
Maxim describes the ‘very costly and accurate apparatus’ used in his ‘exhaustive experiments’ before inviting the Duke to come and witness his work at Baldwyn’s Park.
A further letter was sent by Maxim to the Duke on 9th December informing the Duke of his intentions to visit Paris. Maxim notes that he would speak to Mr. Brearey and ‘try to arrange’ for the Duke to ‘come down’ and view his experiments ‘some time next week’.