Electricity (2)
The sound of water boiling began to rise.
“You really think this’ll work?”
McCallson asked, eyeing it skeptically.
“...Let’s see.”
A steam engine linked to an electric motor. If there were no flaws in the motor’s design, electricity should flow from it. And between the two wires extending from the motor—that coiled wire, wound like the coil in an e-cigarette—should glow red from resistance.
“...”
Once sufficiently heated, the steam engine churned to life, spinning the motor’s rotor as well.
Whirrr...
Confirming it was running smoothly, the two checked the coil.
“...How long till we know?”
McCallson spoke up after a brief wait.
“Just wait—”
As Brown tried to hush him, the coil’s color began to shift.
“...Did it work?” “...Yeah.”
It slowly turned blue, smoke curling up, then glowed red-hot. Proof positive that electricity was flowing.
“Well, I’ll be...” “It actually works.”
Brown hadn’t expected it to succeed on the first try. He marveled at McCallson’s handiwork. Hearing this, McCallson turned and asked,
“Didn’t you say it would work?” “Yeah, but I didn’t think it’d be right off the bat... Careful!” “Why?”
McCallson was reaching for the wire.
“What happens if lightning strikes a person?” “...They’d have a high chance of dying unless they get to a church or doctor fast.” “Right. I figure electricity’s got properties like lightning.” “Hmm...”
Brown had nearly witnessed a historic moment—the first recorded electrocution. Whether the voltage from that motor was lethal was anyone’s guess, but better safe than sorry. McCallson pulled his hand back with a sour look.
“...Anyway, spin that thing and you get electricity; feed it electricity and it spins, right?” “Exactly.” “...How’d you even figure this out?”
I learned it in school.
“...Pure luck.” “...Fine, whatever. So what’s the principle here?”
Brown gathered his thoughts to explain.
“My guess is the coil spins and disrupts the magnet’s field, generating electricity that way. Conversely, electricity flowing through the coil magnetizes it and makes it rotate.” “So why does the spinning coil disrupt the magnet and produce electricity? You know that?”
It’s been years since graduation. Like I’d remember the details. Brown pondered how to answer, then spoke up.
“Let’s figure that out from here. More importantly, isn’t it amazing? A whole new power source—electricity.” “Sure, but...” “Takes up way less space than a steam engine. What could we make with it? Replace candles with electric lights, maybe. Record and play sounds. Hell, I’m just spitballing, but we could even build machines that do human calculations for us. Haha.” “Like magitech?”
Steam engines had taken over magic stones as a new power source in magitech, but only for larger machines. You couldn’t slap one on small tools, so magitech gadgets hadn’t been fully phased out.
“Exactly. We’d need ways to store it, though. Let’s clean up first.”
Brown tidied the experiment while McCallson stood there, dumbfounded. McCallson pitched in, thinking to himself,
This guy...
Everything he mentioned was revolutionary. Steam engines were already supplanting magic stones as a pillar of magitech. His weapons were swiftly replacing standard infantry gear. And now electricity and motors. No telling how it’d reshape the empire, but McCallson suspected it’d evolve far beyond steam power. Once they finished cleaning, Brown spoke.
“Speaking of, shouldn’t we think about safely using this electricity? I bet some materials conduct it better than others. Metals probably all do. Might wanna test that first. Wrap the wires in something, too. Safety first.” “Mm... yeah.” “Right. We’ll take it step by step.”
Brown and McCallson researched electricity alongside their juniors. But the effort didn’t last long.
“Let’s present it for now.”
The weapons lab was understaffed, and everyone had their own duties. They decided to hand it off to the magitech academic community.
“More people on it means better results, right?” “Agreed. Toss it to the magitech folks.”
Soon, news that would inject tension into the once-complacent magitech academia dropped.
“Damn, the weapons lab again.” “What’s it about?” “Something on electricity.” “Hm... Says you can generate electricity with this ‘motor’ thing, and use it as motive power like a steam engine.” “Electricity after steam engines... intriguing.” “So what’s the principle?” “A coil between two magnets rotates to produce electricity, or current through the coil creates magnetism and...” “If the theory holds, they’ve developed a power source way more compact than steam engines.”
The announcement spread rapidly through the empire’s magitech circles.
“Hm... If it’s legit, this is a huge leap beyond steam power...” “Gonna be plenty to research. How to harness electricity...” “Test the motor’s output first.” “Check conductive materials, too.” “Yeah. Copper wire and iron conduct, apparently. Wood, too. But limited samples...” “Need a formal on electricity first...” “Principle’s outlined, but... hmm, might need more thought...” “Output’s inconsistent. To fix that...”
The magitech academia dove headfirst into electricity research.
“...The academics are fired up again. Tons of them studying electricity.” “Good.” “Not bummed? With enough manpower and time, we could’ve claimed all the breakthroughs ourselves.”
McCallson had a point—it stung a little. If Brown’s past-life knowledge on electricity had been even half as deep as on guns, they could’ve monopolized it. Still, discovering electricity and inventing the generator/motor was achievement enough. Plus, more researchers meant faster progress.
“Not bad, though.” “True enough.”
The magitech community acknowledged their contributions, with commendations (and hefty rewards) slated for a few days later. Time flew, and the day arrived.
“For the discovery of electricity and the invention of the motor, capable of generating or converting it to motive power, John Brown and Kyle McCallson are hereby...”
After receiving the commendation plaque, they were given time for remarks.
‘Studied it and never thought I’d use it—should’ve paid more attention in class.’
Brown shoved the thought aside and gave a formal response.
“Thank you. I share this honor with Kyle McCallson, who helped, and everyone at the weapons lab...”
McCallson’s remarks wrapped up, and the banquet began.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m a magitech scholar...” “You look about right for my daughter...” “I’m researching something new—any advice...?”
As Brown and McCallson greeted and chatted with approaching scholars,
“Good to meet you. Edmund Carnot, magitech scholar.” “Pleased to—” “Pleased to meet you, sir!”
McCallson, beside him, reacted with uncharacteristic enthusiasm.
“Haha, no need to overdo it.” “I admire you greatly!”
McCallson doesn’t bow that hard to just anyone. Brown’s curiosity resolved quickly.
“He’s the most respected professor in magitech today.”
McCallson whispered.
“Indeed. John Brown, Kyle McCallson—your work advances magitech daily. I’m always grateful.” “Thank you for the kind words!” “That said, care to work with me?” “You mean...” “Yes. Join my research lab?”
Brown and McCallson reacted oppositely. Brown spoke first.
“...Sorry.”
He knew zilch about magitech—what could he contribute? Carnot expressed regret and turned to McCallson.
“What about you?” “I...”
“Why’d you turn him down?” “Don’t ask. I regret it too.”
His lab would’ve built killer connections and credentials. But McCallson chose to stay at the weapons lab. He couldn’t pass up the scraps from Brown’s table.