A Man of Science and Engineering in Troubled Times Wandering in the Late Qing Dynasty

Astor, the owner of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, is indeed planning to prepare a free room for Li Yu: "With your achievements in mathematics and astronomy, I think the hotel should offer you this kind of treatment."

Li Yu said gratefully, "It's a great honor."

Astor said: "When Prime Minister Li Hongzhang of your country came, he used to live in that room. We wanted to keep it for him, but the prime minister has passed away. After that, Mr. Kang Youwei went to New York and learned that the prime minister lived there. Live in that room."

Li Yu said, "There really is a story."

Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao had different attitudes towards Li Hongzhang.

Kang Youwei spoke very highly of Li Hongzhang, saying that he was a comrade of the Reformation who "understands what is right and wrong, and who knows right from wrong", and thanked him for his help in the cause of the Restoration.However, Kang Youwei's praise of Li Hongzhang, on the one hand, he really agreed with Li Hongzhang; on the other hand, to some extent, he wanted to win Li Hongzhang to his side and get his political help.

However, Liang Qichao's evaluation of Li Hongzhang was much more profound. Regarding Li Hongzhang, Liang Qichao had a very famous evaluation: "Heroes made for current events are not heroes for current events."

In this great change unseen in 3000 years, although Li Hongzhang can be called the mainstay, he was unable to turn the tide after all.

Astor said: "I don't know the situation in your country, but I heard that Kang Youwei is quite famous now, and he is a powerful person."

He also thought that Kang Youwei was a saint, after all, Kang Youwei was quite famous in America now.

Li Yu said with a smile: "More powerful ones will come in the future."

"As always, we will be welcoming," Astor said.

After the dinner, everyone returned.

Tesla was also wrestling with how to take time away from his wireless power transmission experiments to conduct current conversion and experiments with so-called "mobile radio receivers."

Although he still thinks about wireless power transmission in his heart, but now that he has the opportunity to win investment, he has to do it for the time being.

Sierra submitted a small patent on zippers.

The evaluation of the value of the patent came out soon, and it was worth at least 10 US dollars, and it would depend on who paid more to buy it later.

Sierra was very surprised when she heard the result, and she even wanted to open a zipper factory.

But Li Yu obviously doesn't really want to start a clothing business, so he should earn some extra money.Now Laomei has attached great importance to patent rights or intellectual property rights, GDP has been rising steadily, residents' consumption power has been greatly improved, and sales of various industrial products are very good, so some practical patents can indeed sell a lot of money.

Not long after, the approval of Li Yuxin's company came down, so he didn't have to run errands himself. Sierra is really fast in doing these things. Sure enough, no matter what era, money is easy to use.

Everything is ready, now we can set off for Detroit.

Although the "City of Automobiles" Detroit later became the largest bankrupt city in American history due to skin color problems and urban strategic planning mistakes, Detroit was really thriving at the beginning of the [-]th century, and relying on the automobile industry, it will soon become the same city as New York City. One of the four major cities in the United States in the first half of the [-]th century, Chicago, Philadelphia.

Ford's factory is not big now, and its scale is not comparable to that of Cadillac and Henry Leland's engine factory.

Li Yu showed them the stable and reliable electronic ignition system and four-wheel drive system.After being installed in the prototype vehicle, the operation is also extremely stable.

Ford and Henry Leland watched with increasing satisfaction.

Mr. Leland has been working on the engine, because it is the core of the current car, so his evaluation of this ignition system carries a lot of weight.

"I dare say that no one can apply the electric system to the car so skillfully now." Mr. Leland said excitedly.

This is really the case. At present, there are almost no electronic components in cars, which is completely different from later generations.

And no one thought of designing a starter motor for fuel vehicles at all, and it didn't appear until around 1913, ten years later in history.

So although a seemingly simple electric ignition system was a real high-tech in 1903.

As for the four-wheel drive system, it is more advanced than the electronic start system.At present, there is no standard for vehicle testing. There is no escape test, climbing test, cross-axle test, etc., but with the current road conditions, you can just find a wasteland.

Whether there is a four-wheel drive system, at this time, you can see the good or bad at once.

"Yes" and "no" can be understood as a generational difference.Vehicles supported by a four-wheel drive system basically have a rolling performance.

Ford was convinced, and immediately said: "I will order both systems, and I will definitely add them to my car in the future."

Mr. Leland was also very interested: "My engine factory and Cadillac factory will also adopt your plan."

Ford also has his considerations: "Electronic start system is a must, because it can greatly improve the gentlemanly demeanor of driving a car."

This may seem unimportant, but it really largely prevents many people from choosing cars at this time-the manual rocker is too inelegant.

Leland nodded: "That's right."

Ford also said: "But the quotation for the four-wheel drive system was too high before. A system cost nearly [-] dollars or even higher. Our products cannot afford it, unless it is a luxury car."

After that, Cadillac will continue to increase the price, but the current price is still around 750 US dollars, and it will certainly not spend so much money for the four-wheel drive system.

Li Yu knew what they were thinking: "The price is easy to say, because I already have patents for these two systems, and I also know how to carry out stable production, so the price will definitely not be as high as in the past, let alone the cars of the two gentlemen. The price has too much influence."

Price is a sensitive factor. It is impossible for Li Yu to explain it too clearly, but it is still possible to ensure that it is low enough.

"If the cost can be controlled, I can totally accept it." Mr. Leland really wanted such a good thing, "In my opinion, Mr. doesn't want to sell the patent, but wants to produce it himself?"

Li Yu smiled and said, "That's true."

Mr. Leland said: "Mr. Expectation will come up with the electronic ignition system as soon as possible, and our cars after a few batches may still be able to use it."

"Yeah, at least in time for the next New York Auto Show," Ford said.

Li Yu said, "It's too late."

The electric ignition system can be priced as low as $30 at present, and the price can be reduced as the scale expands.Its development needs to understand both cars and electricity, and there will not be many such people in the United States in a short time.

This is a cheap and profitable project, because it is actually not difficult to manufacture and the cost is not high, and people who buy cars currently value it very much. It is an excellent project that can make money efficiently.

The price of the four-wheel drive system needs to be adjusted depending on the size of the plant. Fortunately, Li Yu still has time to allocate it.

Because the mass production of best-selling cars such as Model T is still early, there is enough time.

The electric ignition system is a project that needs to be launched urgently, but fortunately, it is not difficult.

In comparison, it is easier to get stuck in the electrical aspect at this time. Li Yu can recruit employees from the Edison Electric Light Company and Thomson-Huisden International Electric Company that were dismissed when Morgan merged with General Electric.

Tesla also established an electric company a few years ago, but it has declined, and the employees in it can also be poached.

Edison used to have a night school to train engineers. Now that the lighting company has been merged, Edison has given up the night school, but he has also trained a group of technicians in a few years.

In short, as long as the price tag is right, people can still be recruited from the east.

Although these people don't understand cars, Li Yu has blueprints, so it's not troublesome.

The most important thing is to recruit some knowledgeable Chinese, train them into technicians and bring them back to China as the backbone.

Fortunately, there are such people now. After all, the Chinese have been in the United States for half a century. You can find some knowledgeable people in the gathering area, but most of them are now concentrated in San Francisco.

Taking advantage of the overall small scale of the car at present, it is a good word of mouth.In the future, when the scale of production and sales grows, we still have to train more people through education in China, and the market will increase. Setting up factories in China can also greatly reduce transportation costs.

Think far ahead at once.Mr. Leland's son, Wilfred, walked into the room at this time and said, "Father, those two people still haven't left, why don't you go and have a look?"

Leland took a puff on his pipe: "It's been said that we don't know how to make the engine they request, so let them find another company."

"But they say the best engine builders are in Detroit right now, and you can't find a better one anywhere else," Wilfred said.

Leland said: "Then there is no way. Who can make an aircraft engine? It's just a joke! If something happens, my engine factory will be in trouble."

Wilfred said: "Well, since father doesn't agree, then I will find a way to let them go."

"Wait!" Li Yu said in surprise, "Did you mention aircraft just now?"

Wilfred said: "Yes, we also found it incredible when we heard it. How can there be such a thing that can go to the sky with an engine."

Li Yu hurriedly asked: "What are the names of the two people you found?"

Wilfred said: "They seem to be two brothers, both named Wright."

"Brother Wright?!"

Wilfred said: "Why, are they famous? Listen to what they said, they used to make bicycles, so it's nothing serious."

Li Yu said, "Can you take me to meet them too?"

"They're in another office and you have time to meet them before I turn them down," Wilfred said.

"Take me to see it!" Li Yu said.

The Wright brothers were still very young at this time, only in their 30s.

After entering the office, the two got up immediately and asked eagerly, "Mr. Leland agreed to build the engine for us?"

Wilfred spread his hands: "Unfortunately, not. Our company can't take such a big risk to make an engine for something that is still in the experimental stage or even imagined."

Brother Wilbur Wright sighed and said, "It's such a pity."

Younger brother Orwell Wright also wanted to fight for it: "Please tell Mr. Leland again that our aircraft is stable enough and there will be no personal casualties."

Wilfred said: "Father's meaning is very clear, we will not take such a big risk. Please understand, because our factory has also just started and we have just received stable orders. It is impossible to do commercial Advancing."

The Wright Brothers said dejectedly, "We understand."

"Then, I'm sorry."

After Wilfred left, the two brothers were very frustrated: "If there is no power, our aircraft cannot take off only by wind power."

"Go and find someone else."

"We're going all over Detroit, and I'm afraid there won't be any results."

Li Yu suddenly said, "Maybe, I can help a little."

The Wright Brothers thought Li Yu was an engineer from Leland Company: "Sir?"

Li Yu introduced himself: "I am Li Yu."

"Black hair, yellow skin... Are you Li Yu, the scientific giant in the newspaper?" the Wright brothers said.

Li Yu said, "It's me."

"What an honor to meet you! How come you're in Detroit too, ordering a car?" said the Wright Brothers.

"No," Li Yu said, "Actually, I was talking about some technical matters with Mr. Leland and Mr. Ford, and the engine was also involved. By the way, do you need an engine that can be placed on an airplane?"

"You know the word 'aircraft'?!" said brother Wilbur Wright. "It's just what we call it in private."

What Li Yu said was airplane, but since then it has basically been simplified to plane.

Li Yu smiled and said, "This word is very appropriate, isn't it?"

"You also know about our flight tests?" said brother Orwell Wright.

"Of course, this is not an easy task." Li Yu said.

There has been some news about the Wright Brothers building a biplane and experimenting with it, but no one has paid much attention to it.

Orwell Wright said: "After thousands of wind tests and more than 200 wings, we have designed a wing section shape that can provide sufficient lift. A glider equipped with this wing can achieve 1000 lifts. The gliding distance is more than one meter. But we don’t have the energy and don’t understand the engine, but we know that it’s impossible without power.”

Since 1900, the Wright Brothers have made great breakthroughs in aircraft structure and aerodynamics through continuous research. At present, this juncture has indeed reached the stage where they are about to conduct real power aircraft tests.

The two have begun to manufacture the first real aircraft in human history, "Aviator One".

The plane was a biplane glider, but powered planes naturally require engines, and there are simply no such engines on the market.

——It seems to be a bit of nonsense to say that, the plane has not appeared, how could there be an aircraft engine in advance.

But this problem really stumped the two brothers, and no engine manufacturer was willing to take the risk of providing it.

Historically they were made by Taylor, a mechanic in his own bike shop.

What the Wright Brothers had been doing was a business called the Wright Brothers Bicycle Company.This is not surprising. Later, a tractor factory became a top sports car company - Lamborghini.

Engines at the beginning of the [-]th century were far less complex than those of later generations. Many sophisticated technologies were not used, so they were quite "primitive", and the manufacturing difficulty was much smaller in comparison.

Of course, it can't be created casually.

Li Yu knew about engines. He said, "I can find a way to build an engine for you."

"You?" The Wright Brothers were surprised, "You can also make engines?"

Li Yu said, "Try it, it shouldn't be a big problem."

It just so happens that Li Yu is currently researching the transmission system. Li Yu continued: "I think your demand is a low-weight engine that can be chain-linked with the propellers on both sides of the fuselage, right?"

Orwell Wright exclaimed: "You are so familiar with the structure of our aircraft!"

Li Yu smiled and said, "If I'm not familiar with it, I wouldn't dare to say that."

It’s also a coincidence that many people may have seen photos of the Wright Brothers’ aircraft, but what many people don’t know is that the aerodynamic layout used by the Wright Brothers, the first aircraft in human history, turned out to be a canard layout.

You must know that American aircraft have always adopted a conventional layout, and various fighter jets in the United States also have a conventional layout, including civil aviation airliners produced by Boeing and other companies.

Later, in the early days of World War II, Soviet engineers discovered that if the horizontal tail was moved to the front of the wing, a smaller wing surface could be used to achieve better control efficiency.

This is the so-called canard layout, and the horizontal tail that is moved to the front is called the canard.

The reason why it is called canard is because people think that this kind of aircraft looks like a duck in flight.But Li Yu really couldn't see anything like a flying duck. Could it be because he had never seen a flying duck before?

We are familiar with this layout!

Many of our fighter design concepts are inherited from the Soviet Union's design ideas.And before Li Yu crossed over, he could already be said to be out of blue.For example, the J-10 and J-20 use a canard layout.

(Let’s say more, the J-15 is not a canard layout, nor is it a conventional layout, but a three-wing layout. This design is to combine the advantages of the canard layout and the conventional layout, which can provide greater lift and improve the fighter jet. drop capability and enhance reliability. After all, the J-15 is a carrier-based aircraft on an aircraft carrier. The design of the three-plane layout is also very difficult.)
In short, although the canard layout is very useful on fighter jets, the corresponding design is very difficult.

The aviation theory of later generations was so developed, and it was after the mature conventional layout first that Soviet engineers began to engage in the canard layout.

The Wright Brothers used the duck-style layout when they first came up, which is indeed more difficult to do.

But after all, it is the early trial stage, there is nothing to say.

No matter what the layout is, if it can fly, it is a success.