Chapter 65 Electric Light
February 7, 1867.
The situation in the East African colonies had not yet reached Europe, and Ernst did not yet know about the colony's capture of Zanzibar.
Today is an important day for Ernst. The improved electric light is finally ready for commercial use.
In fact, the first person to invent the electric light was the Englishman Humphry Davy. He used two thousand batteries and two carbon rods to make an arc lamp. However, this arc lamp was too bright, generated serious heat, and did not work. It is durable and cannot be promoted on a large scale.
In 1854, Henry Goebel, a German immigrant to the United States, invented the first practical electric light, which lasted for four hundred hours, but he did not apply for a patent.
In 1860, the Englishman Joseph Swan made a carbon filament electric lamp, which was already the most mature solution. However, Swan was limited by the vacuum technology of the current era, so the electric lamp he invented could not work for a long time. It was not until 1878 that he completed the improvement and applied for a patent.
As for now? Ernst was about to say goodbye to him. Berlin Electric Company, which broke through vacuum technology, became the first company in this time and space to apply for a patent for mature commercial electric lights and mass-produce them.
"Ernst, it has been on for more than ten hours without any problems. This is definitely an invention that transcends the times."
Prince Constantine said in surprise as he looked at the still-glowing electric light in front of him.
As the promoter and investor of the invention of electric light, Ernst naturally installed this time-breaking product in his own home first.
Just yesterday, after the installation workers installed it, in order to test the effect of the company's electric lights, Ernst turned on more than 20 light bulbs overnight. After checking today, there was no problem with any of them.
The servants and Prince Constantine felt magical when they saw this novel thing.
"Father, this is not only a great invention, it represents huge benefits. Think about it, if from Berlin to Vienna, from Moscow to London, the whole of Europe, and even the world, were equipped with this light representing "light" Electric lights, what an attractive and considerable profit that is." Ernst said excitedly.
"Yes, it is better to promote this invention that changes the world as soon as possible, let's start in Berlin!" Prince Constantine decided.
"You and I are going to the palace today. We are going to recommend this thing to His Majesty the King."
…
William I and Crown Prince Frederick, as well as the little kid William II and all the nobles in the palace, looked at the electric lights in front of them in surprise.
A dozen arc-shaped light bulbs emitting a unique ghostly light illuminated the entire hall of the Prussian Palace.
"Constantine, this is really a good thing. It is not as fragile as the flame of a candle, nor as dim as a kerosene lamp, and it does not have the smell of a gas lamp."
William I said to Constantine.
"Your Majesty, Prussia has always attached great importance to the development and progress of education and technology. These achievements have long been predetermined in the process of Prussia's educational development." Prince Constantine praised.
"Well, we need to arrange the installation of electric lights in Berlin first, so that other countries can see the development of Prussia. We are already at the forefront of the world." William I said.
It's exciting to think that while the whole world was still lit by candles and gas lamps, Berlin was lighting up its streets with electricity.
To promote electric lighting, Ernst's Berlin Electric Company would install lighting systems for the Prussian and Austrian royal families free of charge.
As for the city lighting in Berlin and Vienna, the two governments paid for it. With the royal families of the two countries as examples, other nobles and wealthy people would have to have one at home.
…
Three days later.
"This is what Ernst called the electric light, and it sure looks good!"
Franz said to his family.
Queen Mother Sophie also exclaimed: "Yes! Such a small thing can be used for lighting without fuel or open flame. This is really a miracle that people can't even imagine."
"I heard that William I is going to replace Berlin's lighting system with electric lights, and we in Vienna can't lag behind." Franz said to the ministers around him.
When His Majesty the Emperor spoke, he naturally obeyed.
In this way, Berlin and Vienna became the first and second cities to replace candles and gas lamps with electric lights.
The news spread throughout the world through newspapers, and many people traveled to the two cities to see this great invention.
In the bustling downtown, lights started to shine for the first time.
Because of this achievement, the Berlin Electric Company became known to the world, and the company's stock price rose sharply, becoming one of the most valuable companies in Ernst's hands.
…
"Tom, have you contacted the people over there?" Ernst asked Tom.
"Master, this time we have contacted the Tsar's cronies and others. By bribing Russian officials, they are willing to act as lobbyists. As long as the money is in place, they guarantee that they can persuade the Tsar to sell the Alaska region." Tom said.
"Very good. As long as we capture this land before the Americans do, we can instantly own a territory larger than the East African colonies." Ernst said with satisfaction.
"Master, as far as I know, Alaska is just a land of ice and snow. Except for animal fur, it has no value." Tom still reminded that in Tom's opinion, there is no need to spend money to win this so-called Alaska region.
"Okay, I have my own plan. This matter is not as simple as it seems. When have you ever seen the young master and I have suffered a loss?" Ernst said.
"By the way, Master, here's the news from the East African Colonies just now." Tom handed Ernst the information from the East African Colonies.
Ernst picked up the information and read it.
Gradually a smile appeared in the corner of Ernst's eyes.
"Very good. I have long had a headache with the existence of the Sultanate of Zanzibar. I didn't expect that they would give this opportunity to us."
Ernst naturally knew the influence of the Zanzibar Sultanate on the East African colonies. He basically monopolized the coastal area between the East African colonies and the ocean. It was fine to live in peace, but if someone wanted to use the Zanzibar Sultanate to make a fuss, Then the East African colonies would be threatened.
This time the Sultanate of Zanzibar was on the receiving end of a gun, and Ernst would not miss this opportunity.
He sat on the chair, picked up the pen in front of him, and began to write down how to deal with the Zanzibar Sultanate. This time the East African colony will completely solve the security issue at the seaport.
"Tom, send this document to the East African colonies and ask them to act according to the requirements above." Ernst ordered.
"Yes, Master," Tom responded.
Turn around and take the document to the telegraph room, send the document to Trieste, and then take it back to East Africa by sea ship.