Final answer:
The tommy gun was invented by John T. Thompson in 1918, and while not covered in the provided material, it is an extension of the automatic weapon technology developed by Hiram Maxim. Maxim's invention revolutionized warfare and led to technological advantages in various military conflicts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Development of the Handheld Submachine Gun
The handheld submachine gun, commonly known as the tommy gun, was not explicitly mentioned in the provided reference material. However, the tommy gun was invented by John T. Thompson in 1918, who was not included in the historical context provided. Notably, the reference material discusses the evolution of automatic weapons leading to handheld guns and machine guns, emphasizing the work of Hiram Maxim who developed the first fully automatic weapon using its recoil system, the Maxim gun.
The development of these early weapons, according to the provided information, played a significant role in military advancements and had profound impacts on both World War I and colonial conflicts. The Maxim gun, for example, bestowed a tactically overwhelming advantage upon those who wielded it in battle. Handheld guns and the Maxim gun's revolutionary design drastically changed warfare, leading to asymmetrical warfare based on technological superiority.
While the tommy gun was a significant advancement in the handheld automatic weapon category, it was not covered within the scope of the provided material. It built upon prior advancements, particularly the concept of recoil operation pioneered by Hiram Maxim.