The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1244: Chapter 150: The Pan-European Electromagnetism Congress (Part 3)

As for why he didn’t quickly take his seat, that would be a case of different people having different views.

However, not being seated in the front row does not necessarily mean a lack of academic achievements, because even in the second row, you can still see William Weber, William Sturgeon, Charles Babbage, and Felix Savar.

Ohm looked at these faces, gazing at the names he had seen countless times in various academic journals, recalling the theorems named after them, and couldn’t help but feel his liver quiver with shivers all over.

Although he considered himself to have some research in the field of electricity, at this very moment, facing the impending academic presentation, this yet-to-be-famous physicist still felt unparalleled pressure.

He knew well that today’s audience was not just any ordinary audience, but the highest echelon of the scientific world, where even the slightest mistake would not escape their discerning eyes.

Indeed, a perfect academic presentation could reinvent his reputation in the academic world, whereas a failed one could elevate his level of social disgrace from Germany to the entire world, with his binding to the academic pillar of shame escalating from decades to hundreds or thousands of years.

Ohm took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. He repeatedly recalled the content of his prepared speech, playing through every data and formula in his mind, fearing any mistake. Despite having checked his manuscript numerous times, he still felt some unease, worried that he might have missed some crucial points.

Gradually, Ohm heard the noisy conference hall fall into silence, followed immediately by the crisp and firm sound of boots stepping onto the podium.

A familiar gentle voice transmitted from the front stage to behind the scenes, that of Sir Arthur Hastings, who was delivering the welcoming speech for the conference opening.

Arthur’s voice fell onto Ohm’s ears like the rustling sound of a printing press; although he knew it was filled with words, not a single one remained in his memory.

His mind was in such turmoil that he couldn’t remember even a single word or phrase.

Ohm held his head, trying to calm himself: ”Calm down! George, this is your one chance! Don’t let down all those who trust you!”

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone gently tapped on the wall, and when Ohm looked up, it was Weber.

Unknowingly, this fellow had slipped backstage from his seat.

He smiled and said to Ohm: ”George, take it easy, this is no different from your usual teaching. Hastings School Director’s speech has ended, it’s your turn.”

As Weber finished speaking, Arthur solemnly introduced from the stage: ”Today’s first academic presentation, ’The Calculation of Current’, speaker: Mr. George Simon Ohm!”

For a moment, the audience erupted in thunderous applause, and the curtain slowly opened.

Ohm’s heart raced, but he tried his best to remain composed. He realized this was an excellent opportunity to showcase his research to his peers, and it could possibly be a significant turning point in his career.

He thought of his years of persistence and effort, those lonely nights, those countless retries after failures, those days and nights of being accused of academic fraud, all of which would become the source of strength for today’s presentation.

Ohm’s thoughts gradually settled into calmness; he slowly ascended the podium, paused in front of the lectern, and looked at the dense crowd below, suddenly sensing a solemn atmosphere.

The scientists in the hall, Faraday, Oersted, Ampere, Beijerlius...

Their eyes filled with both expectation and scrutiny.

Ohm felt the focus of everyone concentrated on him, and a warm current surged from within, a blend of confidence and determination.

He began to speak, intending to demonstrate his resolve, but unexpectedly, the first word came out with a tremor: ”I...”