Maxim Gun

The Maxim gun was the first recoil-operated machine gun to be made and it fired 500 rounds a minute. It was invented in 1884 by Sir Hiriam Stevens Maxim, an American born, British inventor. The gun was first exhibited to Henry Morton Stanley as a display of the gun and a friendly gesture towards him, Stanley decided to take the overly- powerful gun with him on the Emin Pasha Releif Expedition and it was often used just to sate off Natives. The gun was soon developed or given to many strong armies and was used in many wars and battles up until the 1950's. It was capable of easily killing hundreds or even thousands. Later on stronger variants of the gun were created and eventually new technology was developed. The maxim gun comprised the worlds fist recoil-operated machine gun and was extremely deadly to some, without the invention of The Maxim Gun the worlds gun technology would be incredibly different. The Maxim Gun led to other technology that is used in many countries and by many people everyday.
 

Link to Video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1qH8Ix3QTA
Sources-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxim_gun
http://www.firstworldwar.com/atoz/mgun_maxim.htm
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWmaximgun.htm