African Entrepreneurship Record

Chapter 69: Chapter 65 Electric Light

February 7, 1867.

The situation in the East African colony has not yet reached Europe, and Ernst still doesn’t know about the colony taking over Zanzibar.

Today is an important day for Ernst; the improved electric light is finally ready for commercial use.

In fact, the first person to invent the electric light was the British man Humphry Davy. He created an arc lamp using two thousand batteries and two carbon rods, but this arc lamp was too bright, generated a lot of heat, and was not durable, making it unsuitable for large-scale promotion.

In 1854, a German man who emigrated to America, Henry Goebel, invented the first practically useful electric light, which lasted for four hundred hours, but he did not apply for a patent.

In 1860, the British man Joseph Swan created the carbon filament lamp, which was the most mature design at the time, but because Swan was limited by the vacuum technology of the era, his invention could not work for long periods. Historically, it wasn’t until 1878 that he finished the improvements and applied for a patent.

As for now! Ernst was ready to leave Joseph Swan behind, as the Berlin Power Company, having broken through vacuum technology, became the first company in this timeline to apply for a mature, commercially viable electric light patent and mass-produce it.

”Ernst, it’s been shining for over ten hours without any issues, this is definitely a groundbreaking invention.”

Prince Constantine said in amazement as he looked at the still-illuminated electric lamp in front of him.

As both the proponent and investor in electric light invention, Ernst naturally had this groundbreaking product installed in his own home first.

Just yesterday, after the installation workers finished, in order to test the company’s electric light effectiveness, Ernst kept more than twenty bulbs lit all night, and upon inspection today, none had any problems.

The servants and Prince Constantine found this new thing quite miraculous.

”Father, this is not just a great invention, it represents immense benefits behind it. Think about it, if from Berlin to Vienna, from Moscow to London, the whole of Europe and even the world were to install this lamp representing ’light’, how enticing and substantial the returns would be.” Ernst said excitedly.

”Indeed, it’s best to promote this world-changing invention as soon as possible, let’s start with Berlin!” Prince Constantine affirmed.

”You and I should go to the palace today, we need to recommend this to His Majesty the King.”

...

William I and Crown Prince Frederick, along with the young William II and the nobles in the palace, looked at the electric lamp in front of them with surprise.

A dozen arc-shaped bulbs emitting a unique glow illuminated the entire hall of the Prussian royal palace.

”Constantine, this really is a good thing, it’s neither as fragile as candlelight nor as dim as kerosene lamps, and it doesn’t have the gas lamp’s odor.”

William I said to Constantine.

”Your Majesty, Prussia has always valued the advancement of education and technology, and these achievements have long been predestined in Prussia’s journey of advancing education.” Prince Constantine praised.

”Yes, we must arrange for the installation of electric lights in Berlin first, so that other countries can see the progress of Prussia, we have already taken the lead in the world.” William I said.

While the rest of the world was still using candle and gas lamp lighting, Berlin had already illuminated its streets with electricity, just the thought of it was exciting.

To promote electric lights, Ernst’s Berlin Power Company would install lighting systems for the Prussian and Austrian royal families free of charge.

As for city lighting in Berlin and Vienna, the governments of the two countries would foot the bill. With the royal families of both countries as role models, other nobles and wealthy individuals would naturally want to install a set in their own homes.

...

Three days later.

”This is the electric lamp that Ernst was talking about, it does look impressive!”

Franz said to his family.

Empress Dowager Sophie also exclaimed: ”Yes! Such a small thing, used for lighting without fuel and open fire, this truly is an unbelievable miracle.”

”I hear that William I is also planning to replace Berlin’s lighting system with electric lights; we in Vienna cannot fall behind.” Franz said to the ministers around him.

When the Emperor spoke, it naturally had to be done.

Thus, Berlin and Vienna became the first and second cities to replace candles and gas lamps with electric lamps.

This news spread worldwide with the newspapers, and many people traveled to the two cities to see this great invention.

In the bustling downtown, the night was brightly lit for the first time.

And thanks to this achievement, the Berlin Power Company gained worldwide recognition, the company’s stock price rose sharply, making it one of the most valuable companies in Ernst’s portfolio.

...

”Tom, have you contacted the people over there?” Ernst asked Tom.

”Young Master, this time we have established contact with confidants of the Tsar and others, through bribing Russian officials, they are willing to act as lobbyists. As long as the money is in place, they assure that they can persuade the Tsar to sell the Alaska region.” Tom said.

”Very good, as long as we move ahead of the Americans and secure this land, we can instantly acquire a territory larger than the East African colony.” Ernst said satisfactorily.

”Young Master, as far as I know, Alaska is just a frozen wasteland with nothing of value except for animal furs.” Tom reminded, as he believed spending money on acquiring the so-called Alaska area was completely unnecessary.

”Alright, I have my own plans, this matter isn’t as simple as it appears on the surface. When have you ever seen me suffer a loss?” Ernst said.

”By the way, Young Master, we just received news from the East African colony.” Tom handed the intelligence received from the East African colony to Ernst.

Ernst picked up the intelligence and began to read.

Gradually, a slight smile appeared at the corner of Ernst’s eyes.

”Very good, I have long found the existence of the Zanzibar Sultanate to be bothersome, I didn’t expect them to hand us the opportunity themselves.”

Ernst naturally understood the influence of the Zanzibar Sultanate on the East African colony, since they almost monopolized the coastal area between the East African colony and the ocean. It would be fine if things remained peaceful, but if someone with an ulterior motive used the Zanzibar Sultanate to cause trouble, the East African colony could become threatened.

This time, the Zanzibar Sultanate ran headfirst into the muzzle, and Ernst naturally wouldn’t let the opportunity slip by.

He sat in his chair, picked up the pen in front of him, and began writing the course of action regarding the Zanzibar Sultanate. The East African colony would thoroughly resolve the safety issue of the outlet to the sea this time.

”Tom, send this document to the East African colony, let them proceed according to the instructions outlined.” Ernst ordered.

”Yes, Young Master.” Tom responded.

He turned to take the document to the telegraph office, sending it to Trieste, and from there via ship back to East Africa.