Joseph Alphonse Huot
Joseph Alphonse Huot (1878-June 1947) was a Canadian inventor, most famous for the invention of the Huot Automatic Rifle[1]. Between 1914 and 1916, Huot produced two automatic rifle designs in the workshop of a friend, and in September 1916 was hired by Colonel Matyche of the Canadian military as a mechanic for the Small Arms Experimental Development. In December 1917, Huot and Major Robert Blair (Assistant Inspector of Small Arms in Quebec) were sent to England to test the weapon before the British Small Arms Committee. Despite extensive testing, Huot's automatic rifle designs were ultimately rejected by the British Army on April 11 1918[2]. Due to this rejection Huot was not compensated for his work with the SAED until 1936. Huot continued to be a mechanic and blacksmith until his death in 1947.