New York is the largest city in the United States and the most prosperous city in the United States. Since it is the most prosperous metropolis, various new technologies will be used first.
For example, when it comes to the use of electric lights, the New York City government was very foresighted. They chose Edison's electric lamps as their lighting choice at the municipal lighting bidding meeting in 1880.
This also made Edison famous, and also brought electric light into the eyes of more people. Since there are winners, there are losers. Among them, Maxim was the most unsuccessful. The gas lighting he invented originally also participated in the municipal government.
However, Edison used various methods to defeat him. Not only that, after Maxim's failure in bidding, Edison also used various methods to force him to sell the company and threatened him to leave the United States (this is historical fact).
Edison's method of clean killing was extremely uncomfortable for Maxim. You must know that Maxim is not an unknown person. His family is a descendant of the French Hugo family. After being expelled from France to the United Kingdom, he successively immigrated to the United Kingdom.
Plymouth and Massachusetts, USA.
But even so, he was still no match for Edison or Morgan, who stood behind him. So after selling his company, Maxim was thinking about his own way out. A friend of his had jokingly pointed out a clear path for him.
"Put aside your chemistry and electricity. If you want to make a fortune, invent weapons. This will make you a lot of money."
The friend's words were a joke, but Maxim listened. You must know that he has been studying automation since he was a child. When he first started a business and opened a grinding mill (he was both the director and the only employee), he
He succeeded in an automatic mousetrap. Later, he invented an automatic fire extinguisher at Olinfu Company. Let me add that today's automatic fire extinguishers still use Maxim's principle.
During this period, Maxim locked himself at home and used his talent for automation to design a variety of drawings for automatic rifles and automatic pistols. However, these designs did not bring him any profit, because none of them
Conducted commercial production (caused by lack of money).
Maxim considered this and planned to develop a fully automatic weapon mechanism as a stepping stone for his own weapon development, in order to make his name known around the world.
Yes, Edison's actions irritated Maxim, and he also wanted to attract the attention of those big shots.
"Bang bang bang."
A knock on the door disturbed Maxim who was immersed in work in the room.
"What's going on? Can't you just let me be quiet for a while?"
Facing Maxim's complaints, his wife's voice came from the door. "Okay, stop complaining Hiram. It's Hudson who is here. Don't you want to meet him?"
Hudson's full name is Hudson Maxim, and he is the younger brother of the owner of the house, Hiram Stevens Maxim. He is also an inventor, but his research direction is in explosives, and in the research of explosives
It's quite famous.
Hearing the arrival of his younger brother, Maxim opened the door and walked out. However, his image was not very good. He had no clothes for a long time, a beard that had not been taken care of for a long time, and red eyes. No matter how he looked at it, he was far away from the word sloppy.
"What is Hudson doing here at this time?"
Facing his wife looking at him with disgust, Hiram Maxim asked curiously. It was not like his brother was unclear about his situation. He had warned Hudson before that he needed to concentrate on his research.
And why did the younger brother arrive in such a hurry at this time?
Hiram Maxim was arranging his clothes, thinking about the arrival of his younger brother.
At this time, his wife gave him a message. "By the way, your brother also brought two friends."
"Okay, I know."
After replying to his wife, Hiram Maxim walked downstairs.
"Hudson, I haven't seen you for a long time. Why did you come to visit this time? You even brought two friends over."
After Hiram Maxim hugged his brother, he asked what he meant.
"Let me introduce you. These two are from Italy. They came specially to invite you to Italy."
Under the introduction of his younger brother, Hudson Maxim, the two visitors stood up and introduced themselves.
"Hello, Mr. Hiram Maxim, my name is Dolan Pavon."
"My name is Rob Lista."
"We are from Italy."
"What's happening here?"
Hiram Maxim, who was a little confused by the two visitors, couldn't help but ask.
One of the thin visitors said, "Let me do the talking."
"That's right, Mr. Hiram Maxim. We originally came to look for you, but unfortunately we didn't know your address. Then we found your brother and he led us here."
"Oh, that's right." After hearing his explanation of his purpose, Hiram Maxim continued to ask. "I wonder what you two want from me?"
"Mr. Hiram Maxim, we heard that you are researching automated weapons. We in Italy are very interested in this, so we want to invite you to Italy. Of course, this is what our King Carlo means. He thinks that people like you are
Talents should not be buried. For this reason, our country is willing to provide you with financial or other support."
Having said this, he also took a look at the house where Maxim lived and continued. "In addition, our country is also willing to pay you a monthly salary of 2,000 lire. Of course, we also know that this salary does not reflect your ability. For this reason
We have also prepared an agreement. As long as the automated weapons you develop are sold, whether it is physical objects or technical licenses, you can get 20% of the profits."
This condition cannot be said to be ungenerous, it can be said to be a reward for a top weapon designer, and many weapon designers dare not think of it like this.
Of course, this is not because Carlo is too worried, because although Maxim is in a bad situation now, he was considered a rich man before, and Italy is not among his options for going to Europe. He wants to win this epoch-making weapon.
It’s hard to get a designer to be tempted unless he offers a reward that people can’t refuse.
Unexpectedly, after talking about the reward, Hudson Maxim standing next to him opened his mouth wide and showed a surprised expression.
But Hiram Maxim had never been rich before. After hearing the reward, Hiram Maxim said, "Thank you to the Italian side for considering me highly, but please allow me to think about such a big matter for two days."
"It doesn't matter, we live in the Waffle Hotel not far from here. If you think about it, you can tell us at any time."
After seeing off the two visitors, his younger brother, Hudson Maxim, couldn't help but said, "Brother, no one in the United States can offer such conditions."
"I know." After replying to his brother, Hiram Maxim continued. "At least let me know who these people are. I can't believe anything just because of what they say."
Compared with his younger brother, Hiram Maxim is much more sensible. At least he needs to know whether these two people are really representatives of the Italian government.
