Creating an Industrial Empire in 19th Century Parallel World - Chapter 263: The New Prospective Project

The grand opening of the Axelsen & Nielsen Automobile Company was a resounding success for the industrialist order. Influential elites of the United States flocked to their stores and filed their orders which caused the stock of automobiles to run out the moment it was released.

Fortunately, the industrialist duo had anticipated it and had built a huge assembly factory that could handle the overwhelming demand. This strategic move proved to be a stroke of genius as the assembly factory seamlessly swung into action, working tirelessly to meet the skyrocketing orders.

With streamlined processes and a dedication to standardization, the assembly factory became a beacon of efficiency and productivity. Each department within the facility operated like a well-oiled machine, collaborating seamlessly to ensure the smooth progression of automobile production.

The industrialist duo estimated that they could produce one hundred to three per month, which was an astonishing feat. Of course, the industrialist duo wouldn’t settle for less. And so they made plans of expanding their production capacity even further. They embarked on an ambitious project to construct additional assembly factories in strategic locations across the country. These factories would not only cater to the increasing demand for their automobiles but also create job opportunities and contribute to the local economies.

The expansion plans were met with great enthusiasm from both the public and the government. Recognizing the positive impact Axelsen & Nielsen had on the industrial landscape, local authorities provided support and streamlined the necessary permits and regulations. The industrialist duo spared no expense in ensuring that each new factory adhered to the highest standards of technology, safety, and sustainability.

Not only that, this was a political move for Poul Nielsen, who is running for presidential office in the upcoming election. Poul Nielsen, one half of the industrialist duo, saw the expansion of the Axelsen & Nielsen Automobile Company as an opportunity to showcase his leadership, vision, and ability to stimulate economic growth. By creating more job opportunities and contributing to local economies through the construction of new assembly factories, Poul aimed to establish himself as a champion of the working class and a proponent of national prosperity.

Of course, this was met with criticism by his opponents such as George Cleaveland and Benjamin Harrison who saw Poul Nielsen’s political aspirations as a threat to their ambitions. George Cleaveland, known for his eloquent speeches and charismatic demeanor, sought to portray Poul as a self-serving industrialist, claiming that his role as the young founder of Axelsen & Nielsen was a calculated move to consolidate wealth and influence at such a young age. Cleaveland argued that Poul’s relative youth and limited life experience would hinder his ability to understand and address the complex issues facing the nation.

Benjamin Harrison, a seasoned politician with a strong following, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and seasoned leadership in the political realm. He questioned whether Poul’s age, in his mid-twenties, allowed him to possess the necessary depth of understanding and broad perspective needed to effectively govern a diverse and dynamic country.

Poul Nielsen simply ignored their skepticism and continued to focus on his campaign and running his business.

Speaking of business, Poul and Jonathan had another thing in mind.

January 1st, 892. In Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Poul was listening to Amelia’s report, who stood in front of his desk.

“Construction of the gas station in states like New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Atlanta, and Texas is progressing smoothly,” Amelia reported, her voice filled with enthusiasm. “We also coordinated with the state authorities for nationwide asphalt paving projects to ensure that when the automobiles started rolling out of our factories, they would have well-maintained roads to drive on.”

“I am liking what I am hearing right now, Amelia. Keep me posted on the progress of these projects,” Poul replied.

“Of course, Poul. The next order of business is about a request from the United States Army. They are inquiring if the automobiles have military applications.”

Hearing that question, Poul’s brows furrowed. So Morgan had told them huh? As long as there is a prospect of earning millions of money, Morgan wouldn’t hesitate to grab any opportunity that came their way. Poul took a moment to gather his thoughts and then spoke.

“We are focused on a civilian market for now, Amelia. I already told Mr. Morgan about this. That we haven’t designed an automobile for the military. Once we do, we’ll inform them,” Poul continued. “The military has always been at the forefront of technological advancements, so they can rest assured that we will consider their request seriously.”

“Very well, Poul. Well, that’s it for now,” Amelia closed the cover of the file she was holding. “I’ll keep you updated on any further developments. Is there anything else you need from me?”

“There is one, Amelia,” Poul said, his lips curling into a smile. “Say, do you want to hear what we are working on next?”

As he asked that, his gaze flickered at Jonathan who was busy handling paperwork on his desk.

“Jonathan, should we tell her?” Poul said.

Jonathan looked up from his desk and nodded approvingly. “I don’t see why not.”

“Eh? What is it that you could be working on this time, Poul, Jonathan?” Amelia asked.

Jonathan rose to his feet and walked over to Poul’s desk. As he arrived, his gaze fixated on the glass wall of the office, offering a panoramic view of the bustling factories that churned out various products of their company.

“Amelia, have you ever wondered if humans can fly?” Jonathan asked, his voice filled with intrigue.

Amelia’s eyes widened with surprise at the unexpected question. She glanced at Poul and then back at Jonathan, curiosity evident in her expression. “Well, I suppose humans have always dreamt of flying, but it has remained a pursuit of imagination as it is impossible. Though I have read this article in France a hundred years ago where a hot air balloon was used to carry passengers through the air,” Amelia said, recalling a distant memory.

“That’s correct but that hot air balloon was simply floating up in the air and couldn’t be controlled freely. We have come up with a technology that can do just that, where it can navigate the skies like the birds who are freely soaring and gliding.”

“What is it?” Amelia asked.

Poul and Jonathan exchanged a knowing look before Poul spoke up. “Amelia, we are working on developing an aircraft—a machine that can achieve powered and controlled flight. We are talking about building an airplane.”

“Airplane?” Amelia repeated, unfamiliar with the concept.

“Yes, Amelia, an airplane. Think of it as an automobile that can fly through the sky. Just as an automobile moves on wheels with the help of an engine, an airplane uses wings and engines to generate lift and propulsion.”

“But how?” Amelia still continued to stare at Poul, her mind struggling to grasp the concept.

Poul reached into a drawer in his desk and pulled out a rolled-up blueprint. He carefully unfurled it on the desk, revealing intricate drawings and annotations of an airplane design.

“Let me show you,” Poul said, pointing to different sections of the blueprint. “Here, you can see the main wings. They are shaped to generate lift as air flows over them when the airplane moves forward. Lift is what allows the airplane to overcome gravity and stay in the air.”

Amelia leaned closer, her eyes scanning the blueprint with growing fascination. “And what about these engines?” she asked, pointing to a set of illustrations.

“These engines are the heart of the airplane,” Jonathan chimed in. “They provide the necessary power to propel the aircraft forward. The propellers, connected to the engines, create a force called thrust that pushes the airplane through the air.”

Amelia nodded, her excitement growing as she began to comprehend the fundamentals of airplane design. “So, the wings generate lift, and the engines provide the thrust to move the airplane forward. It’s like a combination of the forces at play in an automobile but in the air.”

“See, you are getting it now,” Jonathan clapped his hands lightly.

“But what would be its impact if introduced?”

Poul leaned back in his chair, contemplating Amelia’s question. He swiveled his chair and gazed out the window at the sprawling factories below. The prospective success of the automobile industry is starting to make its mark, but the introduction of airplanes would take human innovation to new heights.

“Amelia, the impact of airplanes would be monumental,” Poul began, his voice filled with excitement. “Firstly, it would revolutionize transportation. Just as automobiles have made travel faster and more convenient on the ground, airplanes would allow us to traverse great distances through the air. Imagine being able to fly from one city to another in a matter of hours, connecting people and places like never before. For example, you could travel from New York to California in just six hours. Compared that to a steam locomotive that would take several days to cover the same distance.”

“That sounds promising, Poul, Jonathan.”

“Yeah, promising indeed,” Poul chuckled. “Now then, let’s go all out on this new project of ours.”