Electricity (Revised Latter Half)
"John Brown is showing interest in petroleum research, I hear?"
John Brown. The man who, alongside Kyle McCallson, had brought about so many innovations to the empire in a short time. Not only in his main field of weaponry, but he had also proposed theories on steam engines. The empire was using those theories to replace the power sources of magitech machines, rapidly reviving and advancing previous technologies.
His next move was petroleum research, which had lost interest from the magitech community.
"What potential does he see to invest in it?"
"Probably making new weapons, right? Something that spews fire... that'd be incredible."
"Who knows. Maybe, like with the steam engine, he's figured out a way to use petroleum as a power source..."
"Nah. If that were the case, he'd have cracked it ages ago."
Petroleum research. It was a project first commissioned by the magitech department to the alchemy lab. But after years without major results, and with the introduction of steam engines, the magitech department had cut funding. Of course, the lack of success cannot ignore the dwindling support and interest over time.
"There's no way he'd invest in petroleum research without some reason. If results come out, the magitech department would be..."
"Yeah. If there's even a breakthrough, it'll put the department in an awkward spot."
"Eh, what does it matter? From the magitech academy's perspective, it's good news."
"Let's just watch and see."
Various reactions emerged from the magitech academic circles. Interest was the majority, but negative responses existed too.
"Hah. Pouring money into mere petroleum?"
"What can you even do with a liquid that's just good at catching fire? Doesn't make sense."
"Maybe trying to make expensive oil lamps or something."
"Let's watch and see what happens."
Unexpectedly drawing renewed attention from the magitech academics, he was preparing for a shooting test.
"How do you think it'll go?"
"Who knows."
Answering Luna Karen's question, petroleum research resumed with support from the weapons lab.
This time, I plan to approach it by distilling the petroleum. If we can just separate the residue from the highly flammable components...
Brown recalled the conversation he'd had with Rockefeller the last time they met. He didn't know much about petroleum. But comparing it to memories from his past life, the research direction seemed solid. And Rockefeller had looked confident too.
Good news would come if he waited.
"It'll work out fine, right?"
Brown gave Karen his final answer as he mounted the gun. Then he stepped back and pulled the cord.
Bang!
Ever since intuitively grasping the cannon's explosion, he'd been conducting experiments with safety in mind. Fortunately, the gun fired smoothly without issues.
"Confirmed it's firing well..."
Brown reloaded the gun and pulled the cord again.
Bang!
No problems even after several shots. Moreover, compared to previous black powder, there was hardly any smoke.
Still, more checks remained. The power of the smokeless powder. And how much residue it left inside the barrel.
Judging it safe, Brown removed the gun from the mount and fired it himself.
Bang! Bang!
After the shooting test, Brown brushed the inside of the barrel with a cleaning rod. Compared to black powder, the residue was minimal.
"Looking good."
Smoke reduced too. Improved burn rate meant higher power from the same amount.
"It could replace existing powder right away, don't you think?"
"Thanks. Hehe."
Smokeless powder was complete. One step closer to bullets. Now they just needed facilities to mass-produce standardized bullets and parts for bolt-action rifles.
'Ah...'
How long until production infrastructure was ready? Brown pondered briefly.
'Percussion cap rifle production is steadily increasing...'
With magitech manufacturing techniques reusable, rifle production was rising steadily. But it was still insufficient for introducing bullets and bolt-action rifles.
Making them was possible. Distributing to soldiers was another matter.
Current facilities made standardized bullets and bolt-action rifles costly. Burdensome even for the empire. So for now, they were introducing percussion cap rifles while investing in manufacturing equipment.
They had to wait until infrastructure lowered production costs.
Steam locomotives too. Petroleum too. Bullets and bolt-action rifles too.
Everything required waiting.
'Frustrating...'
There was little Brown could do. Just wait.
"What now, Miss Karen?"
"Hm... Smokeless powder still needs some improvements..."
Karen explained it was sensitive enough to ignite from friction, so that needed fixing.
"Once that's done, smokeless powder development should be finished. Oh, let me help tidy up."
As they cleaned the range, Brown continued thinking.
'Maybe use this time for other things...'
Suddenly, electricity came to mind. If electricity could be harnessed in this world, technological progress would accelerate further.
'But how to do electricity...'
Spinning a motor generates electricity; input electricity and it spins. Basic middle school science: produce electricity or convert to motive power.
Of course, transforming to needed voltage, transmitting far, storing—that was another issue. Regrettably, Brown's past life knowledge lacked electricity details.
'Hmm...'
What to do? He lacked knowledge to advance electricity for practical use immediately.
'If I just throw out the idea, won't the magitech academics handle the rest?'
Pondering, Brown snapped back to reality.
The range was cleaned, and they'd entered the lab. McCallson stood before him.
"..."
"No thanks."
"I haven't even..."
"Obvious. You're asking for something ridiculous again."
He'd been seen through. But Brown wouldn't back down.
"I won't deny that. But as you know, everything I've suggested so far has helped you too, right? Steam engines and steam locomotives. Thanks to those two ideas I proposed, you've risen to a recognized position in magitech circles."
"...True enough."
"Right. This time, I've thought of something beneficial not just for you and me, but the weapons lab, and the empire overall. Want to hear it?"
"Hm..."
McCallson nodded after a moment.
"Let me explain first."
Brown began, sketching an electric motor.
"Spin this part, and it generates electricity. Put electricity in, and this part spins."
"What's the principle?"
"Electromagnetic in..."
About to continue naturally. But saying too much about unseen electricity might invite suspicion or hassle.
'Starting with motors was hasty... Too late to worry now.'
After brief thought, Brown continued.
"...Just something I came up with tinkering around, pondering ways to use it. Anyway, through this, we could generate electricity or get motive power. First off..."
"..."
McCallson, listening, spoke up.
"Hm... Like with the steam engine before, you always bring something new."
"...It's just theory for now. Let's check if we can get new resources from it."
Brown kept explaining, roughly sketching the motor. Crude, but key parts were clear. Looking at the paper Brown handed him, McCallson spoke.
"...Honestly, hard to believe."
"...Yeah."
Brown left him confused and returned to his seat.
'As expected, tough right away...'
In original history, theory of current creating magnetic fields came first, then motors based on it.
'Batteries first? ...Not sure. Finish the revolver at least...'
Meanwhile, McCallson pondered Brown's words again.
'At it again.'
Brown had tossed another tough problem and left.
Similar to first steam engine explanation. Hard to believe outright then or now. Generating "electricity" via coils between magnets? New theory.
He considered ignoring it. Absurd idea of making electricity from magnets and coils.
But his inner engineer whispered.
'Intriguing, huh? Let's try it.'
Days later, seeing McCallson enter the lab carrying something, Brown grinned widely.
"Nice one, McCallson. Knew you'd come through."
"..."
"Alright, shall we test it now? Pretty sure there's a steam engine somewhere in the lab. Hook it up and run it."
He'd made it. The electric motor.