During 1889 cordite was invented by Sir James Dewar and Sir Fredrick Able and in August 1893 the British Director of Naval Ordnance requested that a .45 inch cordite cartridge be developed for their Naval Maxim guns as well as the Gardner, Gatling machine guns. Initial tests were done with some design changes because although satisfactory in the Gardner and Nordenfelt, the cartridge was unsuitable for the Maxim guns. The final change resulted in a 2mm shorter cartridge (60,5mm) that was approved in March 1896.