The Maxim brothers were two of the most colourful and prolific inventors of the 19th century, who can be said ot have revolutionised modern warfare. Although best known for Sir Hiram's invention of the modern maching-gun, the two brothers were involved in many other fields of work, including explosives, early aviation experiments, gas and electric lighting and even fairground rides, on of which can still be seen at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Their story, of coming from humble American frontier origins to wealth and world-wide fame as inventores, is a classic of 19th century self-improvement. Both equally ambitious, egotistical and pugnacious, these two colourful characters were at the cutting edge of technical innovation and were frequently in conflict with their contemporaries as well as with each other. Even the loss of his left hand in an accidental explosion did not diminish Hudson Maxim's natural aggressiveness, nor seemingly his ability to handle himself in a street fight.