Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World



After their meeting with the President, Poul sank back into the plush velvet chair of the carriage, letting out a deep sigh of relief. The weight of the momentous occasion had finally lifted from his shoulders.

"At last, it is done," Poul murmured, his voice tinged with a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. He turned to Amelia, who sat across from him, her presence a comforting reassurance amidst the whirlwind of emotions. "What are your thoughts on the President's reaction, Amelia?"

Amelia offered a warm smile, her eyes reflecting a blend of pride and anticipation. "The President seemed pleased, Poul. But now, it's time to focus on your radio prototype. The real work begins."

Poul chuckled softly, the sound resonating within the confined space of the carriage. He allowed himself a moment to settle into the embrace of the luxurious surroundings, his gaze drifting upwards to the intricately adorned ceiling.

As a comfortable silence descended upon them, Amelia's inquisitive nature compelled her to voice a question that had been lingering in her mind.

"Poul," she began hesitantly, "may I inquire about something that has been on my mind? You have already introduced automobiles to the public, haven't you? Why do we continue to rely on horse-drawn carriages instead?"

Poul leaned back in his seat, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. He understood the curiosity behind Amelia's query, and the desire to embrace the marvels of modern technology.

"Ah, Amelia," Poul began, his voice filled with wisdom, "the reasons are multifaceted. While it is true that automobiles have been unveiled, we must consider the intricate web of infrastructures required to support them effectively."

He gestured towards the window, where the city streets unfolded before them, bustling with carriages and pedestrians alike. "Our current roads are ill-suited for automobiles. The majority remain unpaved, strewn with obstacles that would make for a most uncomfortable and jarring journey. To traverse such paths would be an arduous undertaking, not to mention the lack of adequate maintenance."

Amelia listened intently, her eyes focused on Poul's every word. The reality of the challenges involved became increasingly apparent, and she found herself immersed in the intricacies of the transportation dilemma.

Poul continued, his voice unwavering in its conviction. "Furthermore, there exists an absence of essential amenities. Automobiles rely on a steady supply of fuel, but where would one find a gas station in these lands? They are non-existent, my dear Amelia. To refuel an automobile would prove a daunting task indeed."

Amelia nodded, her understanding deepening as Poul unveiled the layers of complexity inherent in their transportation landscape. The allure of progress had momentarily blinded her to the practical realities that lay before them.

"So, until the infrastructure catches up with the automobile's demands," Amelia mused, "We shall remain reliant on these elegant carriages that have graced the streets for centuries."

"Yup, we stick to the traditional one," Poul replied with a hint of resignation in his voice. He glanced out the window again, watching as the horse-drawn carriages passed by on the bustling streets of the city. Despite the limitations, Poul knew that their current mode of transportation had its own charm and elegance, allowing him to immerse himself in this time period.

"While we are on our way back to the train station, Poul, you might want to look at these reports," Amelia said, handing him a pile of documents that she whipped out of nowhere.

"Eh?" Poul grumbled, casting down a glance at the file of documents. "I'd prefer to listen to the report. I know that you were the one that made it so I won't waste my time reading all of it." 

Amelia sighed, knowing it would turn out as she expected. "Understand, this report concerns the production of oil mining enterprises. Ever since its commissioning, our oil mining enterprise has been able to pump crude oil from the ground at an astonishing rate," Amelia said, her voice tinged with excitement. "In fact, the latest numbers show that we have discovered a massive reserve, estimated to be worth millions of barrels."

"Of course it's in Texas it's natural that we would find an oil reserve with that magnitude," Poul interjected, a spark of curiosity reigniting within him. "Does Rockefeller know about this?"

Amelia's face turned serious as she corrected herself. "Actually, Poul, Rockefeller doesn't know about this discovery yet. We have been keeping it under wraps until we can properly assess its potential and develop a strategic plan. As you know, Rockefeller is our competitor in the oil industry, and revealing this information prematurely could tip the balance of power."

Poul leaned forward, his interest piqued. "So, what is our plan, Amelia? How do we proceed with this valuable oil reserve?"

Poul actually know how to proceed but he wanted to test Amelia's knowledge and expertise.

Amelia sensed Poul's intention and met his gaze with a determined expression. 

"Poul, I believe it is crucial that we handle this discovery with utmost care and strategic foresight," Amelia began, her voice steady and confident. "First and foremost, we need to establish a dedicated team consisting of geologists, engineers, and experts in oil extraction. This team will be responsible for conducting a thorough assessment of the reserve to determine its true potential and devise the most efficient extraction methods."

Poul nodded, impressed by Amelia's understanding of the situation. "Excellent, Amelia. And what about the logistical aspects? How do we plan to transport and store the extracted oil?"

Amelia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she continued. "Given the magnitude of the reserve, it would be prudent to invest in the construction of a pipeline network to transport the crude oil from the extraction site to designated storage facilities. This will require meticulous planning and collaboration with engineering firms experienced in pipeline construction."

Poul leaned back in his seat, a smile playing on his lips. He could see that Amelia had a firm grasp of the complexities in the oil enterprise, which he found all the more impressive. From air break to oil mining, Amelia never failed to satisfy.

"In the future, a new industry will emerge from the invention that I will bring," Poul stated. 

"Are you talking about the radios, Poul?" Amelia's brows furrowed in curiosity.

"Yes, Amelia, radios are just the beginning. With the successful implementation of radio technology, a whole new industry will emerge, transforming communication as we know it. Imagine a world where people can connect and share information instantaneously, regardless of distance."

Amelia's curiosity grew, and she leaned forward, eager to hear more. 

Poul leaned back in his seat, a thoughtful expression on his face. "The possibilities are endless, Amelia. Radios can revolutionize various sectors, such as broadcasting, telecommunications, and even entertainment. I envision a time when radio stations will transmit news, music, and stories directly into people's homes, providing a wealth of information and entertainment options."

Radios were not a new concept in the late nineteenth century, in fact, the precursor to it, the telegraph, has a similar concept of transmitting information over long distances. But the telegraph can only send pulses that are decoded to transmit messages in Morse code. Poul's vision for the radio went beyond simple code transmission. He aimed to develop a device capable of sending and receiving voice and music, allowing for a more immersive and interactive experience.

With his expertise in electrical engineering, Poul had the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue his vision of creating a functional radio prototype. He had been working on the concept for quite some time, and it will be done in a month.

"Uhm…Poul, about the oil reserves, you said that the automobile can't start without gas stations right? Where do automobiles refill gas? Why don't you build one for a demonstration? You know, show the public that the automobile you invented is efficient and has the potential to replace the traditional horse-drawn carriages."

"Of course, I have thought of that, Amelia, who do you think I am?" Poul replied. "That project will be handled by Jonathan and Caroline as they are the ones with expertise. Still, good insight."

As they discussed, there was a banging sound on the ceiling. 

"Mr. Nielsen, we have arrived at the train station," The coachman informed. 

"Thank you, David," Poul replied, grateful for the interruption that brought him back to reality. He straightened his posture and collected his thoughts, ready to step off the carriage. "Let's finish that radio of ours."

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