Sir Hiram Maxim's 'Pipe of Peace', London, England, 1909-1910
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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
One of two boxed sets of Maxim's inhaler, Sir Hiram Maxims "Pipe of Peace", with drug prepared by John Morgan Richards and Sons Ltd., London, 1909-1910
Hiram Maxim (1840-1916) is best known for the invention of the automatic machine gun. However, he also developed this inhaler, known as the ‘Pipe of Peace’. It was used to treat throat and chest problems such as bronchitis. Soothing vapours from water warmed with a few drops of 'Dirigo', made from Maxim’s own recipe, could be delivered right to the back of the throat via a long, swan-necked glass tube.
In this set, the drug is made by John Morgan Richards and Sons Ltd. As word of the effectiveness of Maxim’s invention spread, demand grew and eventually hundreds of thousands were sold in the early 1900s.
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Science Museum: Making the Modern World Gallery
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Details
- Category:
- Therapeutics
- Object Number:
- 1981-982/1
- Materials:
- cloth, netting, glass, rubber
- type:
- inhaler
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- tools & equipment
- status:
- Permanent collection
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