Chapter 384 Telegram
Austria Vienna.
Franz had never known that the information gap could be so terrible. Looking at the Hungarian intelligence network and thinking about the Russians' response speed, it makes people cry.
In fact, Vienna had already set up the most rudimentary telegraph lines at this time, but they were only connected to a few places and had very limited use.
Contrary to most people's impressions, Morse was not the first to invent the telegraph, and he did not even make the first telegraph machine.
Ten years ago, Gauss, known as the "King of Mathematics", and Weber, the German scientist who first made an ammeter, began to try to develop an electromagnetic telegraph, and specially set up a telegraph line between their laboratories.
Two years later, in 1835, Russian diplomat Schillinger's telegraph machine came out.
Four years later, William Fothergill Cook, a retired British officer, and Wheatstone, a professor of natural philosophy at the London College of Economics, collaborated to make a 5-hand telegraph that was first used at Paddington Station in London with West. - Used on the railway line between Drayton, a distance of approximately 21 kilometers. For now, the Morse telegraph machine cannot be called "early" at all.
At first, the "toys" of Gauss and William Edward Weber were generally not favored by the world, who believed that they had no practical value.
The reason is simple. The very primitive electric wires and exposed metal wires at that time could not withstand wind and sun, and underground pipes could not be laid because they were not corrosion-resistant.
However, the problem in the eyes of these two geniuses is very easy to solve in the eyes of Franz's team. As a result, the world's earliest rubber-coated insulated wire was born.
However, because he rarely had the opportunity to travel far before this, he did not fully understand the role of the telegraph system until now.
Moreover, the raw material rubber is a scarce resource in Austria. In the mid-19th century, the entire world's rubber supply was choked by Brazilians.
Affected by the Brazilian Civil War not long ago, its trade volume fluctuated greatly. Became very unstable.
At the same time, in view of the large number of orders from the army and the unpredictable world situation, Franz also used rubber more where he could make quick money.
Today's huge empire only has a few very simple telegraph lines, which is very inconsistent with its status as a great power. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to speed up its construction process.
The telegraph machine designed by Gauss and Weber has become very good after continuous improvement, but these two geniuses' understanding of compilation is too advanced, even to the point that it is difficult for ordinary people to understand.
The two of them can only communicate in a way that they can understand. It is not a problem for wizards, but it is really difficult for ordinary people to understand.
Because the minimum requirement to operate this type of telegraph was a college graduate, this greatly limited its popularity.
As the saying goes: "There are specialties in a profession," and professional matters should be left to specialists.
It happened that the world's first programmer - Ada Lovelace, the daughter of the British poet Byron, was close at hand, so Franz came to Babbage's studio with the telegraph in his hand.
As soon as I entered the door, I saw a "human-shaped meat mountain".
"Mr. Babbage, you seem to be getting fatter than before."
"Roshan" barely squeezed out two eyes on his fat face and took off his hat respectfully.
"Your Highness the Grand Duke, I am little Babbage. My father is still in the laboratory."
An embarrassed look suddenly appeared on Franz's face. He never expected that little Babbage would follow in his father's footsteps.
"Yes, I have heard of you. Last year you graduated with first place from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Vienna. You are indeed like your father."
"Thank you for your compliment. Please forgive my rudeness. I need to rush to the cafeteria, so I won't stay with you much longer. I think there is a girl who may like me. She always makes delicious food for me."
Adjani subconsciously looked at little Babbage's appearance and managed to hold back her smile.
Franz smiled and nodded. He hoped that it was not Babbage's illusion. After all, when it comes to talents, the more the merrier, the better.
Perhaps the inventions of these scientific masters have not yet shown their effect, and they are even funny. But as technology continues to expand and advance, they will eventually prove their worth, not to mention someone like him who has a cross-generational vision to help.
After passing through a narrow passage, Franz finally arrived at Babbage's laboratory.
Unlike the messy outside, the inside of the laboratory looks extremely tidy, with all the utensils, equipment and books neatly placed on the shelves like an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
I'm afraid the only flaw is that the average weight of the entire room, including assistants, is at least 120 kilograms.
The huge machine composed of countless gears in front of me is the Trinity Analytical Engine that Babbage is studying. The assistants are carefully checking the placement and precision of each gear.
"Mr. Babbage, I would like to ask Miss Ada and you to do me a favor."
Old Babbage was quite familiar with Archduke Franz's voice. After all, few people here could talk to him in English.
"Your Highness, please wait a moment." After saying that, he turned to the assistant below and shouted, "Put me down quickly!"
Several assistants immediately shook the lever below, and the height of the elevated chair where old Babbage was sitting was slowly lowering.
Miss Ada also walked out of a nearby room. Her eyes were bloodshot and her hair had become much thinner. It seems that the high-salt, high-sugar, lack of vegetables diet coupled with long-term mental work has left her body overwhelmed.
"Your Highness, what do you want from us?" Old Babbage asked.
"I need a telegraph code that is easier to understand." Before he could say anything, Franz went straight to the point.
After that, the staff present started to get busy. The people who work on the Analytical Engine are mechanical engineering experts. They all agreed that the telegraph was an invention that could change the world.
However, Babbage Sr. was on another level. He was vaguely aware that the telegraph would be a great help to his Analytical Engine.
Some new ideas have emerged in this Frankenstein's head, but first it may be necessary to overturn all the previous progress; this obviously requires great courage and courage.
On the other hand, under the auspices of Ada, the compilation of telegraph codes progressed very smoothly. Compared with the complexity of the Analytical Engine, the telegraph was like a child's toy.
Soon a very simple telegraph code was codified. This type of telegraph code only requires simple understanding and can be actually operated. It is simple, clear and has little ambiguity. This greatly accelerated the development of telegraphy.
It's just that at this time, the United States, far across the ocean, began to have the idea of collecting patent fees. Of course, Americans' rights protection would have to wait until decades later.
In addition to the above-mentioned simple telegram for civilian use, Franz also started secret research on a complex military version in advance. After all, today's communication methods such as carrier pigeons, stagecoaches, dogs, and beacons are really unable to keep up with the times.
Although radio technology is still far away from the present, the role of telegraph in homeland defense cannot be underestimated.
After all, the information gap in this era is too terrifying, and the current European battlefield is not like the wars of later generations. Surrender is actually not shameful, and is even commonplace for some soldiers.
However, the Prussians were very clumsy in handling the surrendered French prisoners of war. Perhaps out of fear of future revenge from the powerful French, the former did not even dare to ask for ransom from the latter.
However, the hesitation and weakness of the Prussians accidentally caused another tragedy, although a considerable number of French soldiers were captured and killed by local Walloon victims.
But from the perspective of Paris, this is an excellent opportunity to discredit the opponent, and may also cause some unnecessary trouble to Austria and the entire German Confederation in future battles.