Darth Mauls dual bladed lightsaber was introduced in The Phantom Menace to the big screen for the first time. The lightsaber design was invented by dark lords of the old sith empire thousands of years ago. Blade Master Kas'im gives great insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the design.
Darth Maul would forge his lightsaber after the events of his battle with Silourmanka or Silo'ur'manka where he was beaten by a wooden staff.
Eventually the lightsaber and Darth Maul himself would be cut in half and later return in the Clone Wars.