If Hudson Maxim Invented Smokeless Gunpowder, Why does Teddy Roosevelt Write of the Spanish (but not his army) Having Smokeless G During the Spanish American War?

The Background

Hudson Maxim was one of the key figures in developing smokeless gunpowder in the United States, but he wasn’t the sole inventor. The real breakthroughs happened earlier in Europe.

• 1884: Paul Vieille invents Poudre B in France.
• 1887: Alfred Nobel develops Ballistite.
• 1890s: Hudson Maxim works on U.S. smokeless powder, but the military is slow to adopt.

Roosevelt’s Observation

Theodore Roosevelt, in his writings about the Spanish-American War (1898), noted:

“The Spaniards used smokeless powder; our black powder betrayed our positions.”

He wasn’t exaggerating. U.S. volunteer forces like the Rough Riders were still issued black powder cartridges, particularly for .45-70 Springfield rifles and Colt revolvers. The Spanish, on the other hand, used Mauser 1893 rifles with 7mm smokeless cartridges.

Why the U.S. Lagged

1. Bureaucratic inertia: The U.S. Ordnance Department was slow to modernize.
2. Logistics: Old stockpiles and outdated supply chains still fed black powder.
3. Domestic production: U.S. smokeless powder capacity was still developing, despite Hudson Maxim’s work.

In Summary

• Hudson Maxim advanced smokeless powder in the U.S., but Europe led the way.
• Spain equipped its troops with modern rifles and smokeless cartridges.
• U.S. troops, particularly volunteers, were still using outdated black powder weapons.
• Roosevelt’s complaint reflected a real tactical disadvantage.