Chapter 65 Electric Light

February 7, 1867.

The situation in the East African colonies had not yet been reported back to Europe, and Ernst did not yet know that the colony had taken over Zanzibar.

Today is an important day for Ernst, as the improved electric light can finally be used commercially.

In fact, the first person to invent the electric light was the Englishman Humphry Davy, who used two thousand batteries and two carbon rods to make an arc lamp. However, this arc lamp was too bright, generated too much heat, and was not durable, so it could not be promoted on a large scale.

In 1854, Henry Goebel, a German who immigrated 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, Englishman Joseph Swan made a carbon filament light bulb, which was already the most mature solution. However, Swan was limited by the vacuum technology of the time, so the light bulb he invented could not work for a long time. Historically, it was not until 1878 that he completed the improvement and applied for a patent.

As for now! Ernst is going to say goodbye to him. The Berlin Electric Company, which broke through the vacuum technology, became the first company in this time and space to apply for a mature commercial electric light patent and mass production.

"Ernst, it has been on for more than ten hours without any problems. This is definitely a groundbreaking invention."

Prince Constantine said in amazement as he looked at the still glowing light in front of him.

As a promoter and investor of the invention of the electric light, Ernst naturally installed this epoch-making product in his own home first.

Just yesterday, after the installers finished installing the lights, Ernst turned on more than 20 bulbs all night to test the effectiveness of the company's lights. After checking today, none of them had any problems.

The servants and Prince Constantine were amazed to see this novel thing.

"Father, this is not only a great invention, it also represents huge profits. Just think about it, if all of Europe and even the world from Berlin to Vienna, from Moscow to London were equipped with this electric lamp representing 'light', what tempting and considerable profits it would bring," Ernst said excitedly.

"Yes, it is better to promote this invention that changes the world as soon as possible, and let's start from Berlin!" Prince Constantine set the tone.

"You and I will go to the palace today, and we will recommend this thing to His Majesty the King."

…

William I, Crown Prince Frederick, the little boy William II and the nobles in the palace looked at the electric lights in amazement.

A dozen arc-shaped light bulbs emitting a unique dim light illuminated the entire hall of the Prussian Royal Palace.

"Constantine, this is a really good thing. It is neither as fragile as a candle flame nor as dim as a kerosene lamp, and it does not have the peculiar 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 already been predetermined in the course of Prussia's promotion of educational development." Prince Constantine praised.

"Well, we must first arrange the installation of electric lights in Berlin and let other countries see Prussia's development. We are already at the forefront of the world," said William I.

It’s exciting to think that while the rest of the world was still using candles and gas lamps for lighting, Berlin was already using electricity to illuminate its streets.

In order to promote electric lighting, Ernst's Berlin Electric Company will install lighting systems for the Prussian and Austrian royal families free of charge.

As for the city lighting in Berlin and Vienna, it was paid for by the governments of the two countries. With the royal families of the two countries setting an example, other nobles and wealthy people would have to have a set of lighting in their homes.

…

Three days later.

"That's what Ernst meant by 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 and open flames. This is really an unimaginable miracle."

"I heard that William I wants to replace Berlin's lighting system with electric lights. We in Vienna cannot fall behind." Franz said to the ministers around him.

His Majesty the Emperor has spoken, so of course we have to do as he says.

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.

For the first time, the lights in the bustling downtown area began to light up.

Because of this achievement, the Berlin Electric Company became known to the world, and the company's stock price soared, becoming one of Ernst's most valuable companies.

…

"Tom, have you contacted anyone over there?" Ernst asked Tom.

"Master, this time we have contacted the Tsar's confidants 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 convince the Tsar to sell the Alaska region." Tom said.

"Very good. As long as we take this land before the Americans, we will instantly own a territory larger than the East African colony." Ernst said with satisfaction.

"Master, as far as I know, Alaska is just a land of ice and snow. It has no value except animal fur." ​​Tom reminded. In Tom's opinion, there is no need to spend money to take over this so-called Alaska region.

"Okay, I have my own plans. This matter is not as simple as it seems. When have you ever seen me suffer a loss?" Ernst said.

"By the way, Master, here's the news we just received from the East African colony." Tom handed the information from the East African colony to Ernst.

Ernst picked up the intelligence and began to read it.

Gradually, a smile appeared in the corner of Ernst's eyes.

"Very good. I have long been troubled by the existence of the Sultanate of Zanzibar. I didn't expect that they would give us this opportunity."

Ernst naturally knew the influence of the Sultanate of Zanzibar on the East African colonies. It basically monopolized the coastal areas between the East African colonies and the ocean. It would be fine if everything was peaceful, but if someone wanted to use the Sultanate of Zanzibar to make trouble, the East African colonies would be threatened.

This time the Sultanate of Zanzibar has put itself in danger, and Ernst will naturally not miss this opportunity.

He sat down on the chair, picked up the pen in front of him, and began to write down the solution to the Sultanate of Zanzibar. This time, the East African colony would completely solve the security problem of the seaport.

"Tom, send this document to the East African colonies and ask them to act according to the requirements." Ernst ordered.

"Yes, sir," Tom responded.

He turned around and took the document to the telegraph office, sent it to Trieste, and then brought it back to East Africa by ship.

(End of this chapter)