Sir Hiram Maxim’s Pipe of Peace

Great find. As a glassblower who has made a fair bit of pipes and vape accessories, I definitely appreciate this… Other than that he used it for cocaine. That does make him even more of a pioneer. Given the position of cannabis in the pre–prohibition pharmacopoeia, I’d be surprised if these devices were not employed for hemp and marijuana inhalation as well.

Re: Sir Hiram Maxim’s Pipe of Peace

#6

Post by ineedasername » Sun, Dec 23, 2018, 1:12 AM UTC

a "maxim" inhaler? I'd rather an axiom inhaler. in with the axioms, out with the proofs

Re: Sir Hiram Maxim’s Pipe of Peace

#7

Post by Stratoscope » Sun, Dec 23, 2018, 4:32 AM UTC

karcass wrote: post #3

My ancestor!

Tell us more!

Re: Sir Hiram Maxim’s Pipe of Peace

#8

Post by karcass » Sun, Dec 23, 2018, 6:22 AM UTC

Stratoscope wrote: post #7

karcass wrote: post #3

My ancestor!

Tell us more!

The Maxims were Huguenots (French protestants) who fled the persecution of Catholic King Louis XIV. Hiram's great-grandfather Samuel Maxim emigrated to Massachusetts sometime around 1710. The spellings of the surname bounced around a bit, some preferring Maxam, others Muxham, Moxom, and Maxham. I think roughly half of the modern descendants live in Vermont.

Hiram, his brother Hudson, and son Hiram Percy were prolific inventors, mostly in the field of armaments (sadly). Hiram was born in Maine but moved to England and was later knighted.

I am not a direct descendant but am in the (fairly sparse) family tree under Samuel.

More details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiram_Maxim

Re: Sir Hiram Maxim’s Pipe of Peace

#9

Post by bryangreen » Sun, Dec 23, 2018, 8:01 AM UTC

Random fact: Sir Hiram’s son Hiram P. Maxim went on to co-found the American Radio Relay League, the national organization of Amateur Radio.

Re: Sir Hiram Maxim’s Pipe of Peace

#10

Post by makmanalp » Sun, Dec 23, 2018, 10:39 AM UTC

I REALLY really recommend that you read "A Genius In The Family" by Hiram Percy Maxim, his son. It's absolutely bonkers hilarious and a nice window into the inventor himself, who apparently loved to cause a ruckus and a good laugh.

Gutenberg link: http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks09/0900131.txt