Chapter 1151: 1057: France, Paradise for Mechanics!

Chapter 1151: Chapter 1057: France, Paradise for Mechanics!

Whitney turned around and saw it was one of the judges from earlier, thinking he was coming to tell him that his application had been rejected, he immediately slumped a bit and said, “Mr. Vokansen, it’s nothing…”

Vokansen, however, leafed through his expression book: “Well, I saw you’ve proposed a concept of a ‘rotary milling machine’, but there’s very little content. If it suits you.”

Whitney’s eyes immediately lit up: “Of course, I have plenty of time to explain it to you in detail.”

He followed Vokansen into a nearby room, speaking eloquently: “Oh, it is a very versatile milling machine.

“You see, the current milling machines can only handle one side of a workpiece, and milling an inclined plane is very difficult.”

Vokansen, being an expert in mechanics, nodded: “Yes, that requires repeatedly removing the workpiece, changing the clamping angle, and then milling again.”

Whitney excitedly said: “So I conceived a ‘multi-directional feed device’. The worktable is no longer fixed but installed on three sets of axes, allowing for movement along the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions.

“Thus, after the worktable clamps the workpiece, it can move intricately along the tool. Oh, and if a dividing device is also designed, the workpiece can even rotate along its axis!

“Wait, I need to write down this idea.”

He took out a notebook and continued to write while saying: “You can imagine, in the future, when processing a drill bit, you only need to fix the workpiece once, then move and rotate the worktable to quickly complete the milling.

“And the precision doesn’t rely on the craftsman’s repeated measurements, it would be more than ten times more precise than today’s milling machines!

“Since the tool doesn’t need to move, precision can be further improved.”

He closed the notebook, extended his index finger upright and then laid it flat: “Additionally, I believe the tool axis should be changed to a horizontal position. This way, the depth of the work can be greatly increased.

“And the transverse tool can be fixed with a very robust frame, making it more stable…”

He finished describing all his ideas in one go, and Vokansen was nodding repeatedly: “An excellent design, and it is evident that your knowledge in the field of machinery is very solid.”

He stood up and said, “Please wait here for a while.”

After more than ten minutes, Vokansen returned and placed a form in front of Whitney: “Congratulations, your ‘rotary milling machine’ has convinced us.”

The latter was about to cheer when he heard the judge say, “However, this machine is merely your concept for now, so I can only grant you ‘temporary talent’ status. The term is two years.

“If within this period you complete the design of the ‘rotary milling machine’, at least partially, or you publish an influential paper in the ‘Natural Science Journal’, then you can obtain a formal talent introduction status.”

Whitney immediately replied with full confidence, “You will see my capabilities.”

“Then I will congratulate you in advance.” Vokansen nodded with a smile, “Please fill out this identity registration form as soon as possible and submit it to Mr. Francois. He is in the office next door.”

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and just as Vokansen was about to leave, he suddenly thought of something, turned back, and said, “By the way, perhaps you could modify the new milling machine to be driven by a Steam Engine instead of a waterwheel. The rotation of a Steam Engine is more stable and would allow your milling machine to be moved at will.”

“Thank you for your advice, I’ll try it.”

That afternoon, Whitney completed the procedures at the French Academy of Sciences and, led by a servant assigned to him, went to the luxurious hotel provided by the Academy.

“The review process might take a few days.” The servant called for a carriage while diligently explaining, “Afterward, you will be a distinguished E-level talent. You will have a house at the Great Scholar Palace.”

Whitney eagerly asked, “What about the stipend?”

“2,200 francs per year, my master.”

Whitney immediately clenched his fist firmly.

Not paying that last bit of money to the lawyer was truly the right decision.

Years ago, he invented the cotton gin, but due to unfamiliarity with the United States’ Patent Law, part of the patent was preemptively registered by others.

He then found himself embroiled in endless patent lawsuits.

But he was just an ordinary person from a blacksmith family, and at that time he was still owed tuition fees to Yale University, too, and couldn’t afford a famous lawyer, resulting in an utter defeat in the lawsuit, and additionally owing a large sum to the infringers.

Just then, he heard from a friend that a Bavarian named Achard, in dire poverty, went to France and obtained French talent status.

Now Achard has not only been knighted, has a fortune of tens of thousands of francs, married a noble lady, but also won the Supreme Louis Award this year, truly achieved fame and success.

After much hesitation, Whitney sold the workshop producing the cotton gin for over 200 US Dollars, and then boarded a ship to France.

Well, he didn’t even pay the 130 US Dollars legal fee to Lawyer Drake—this lawyer had hardly won a single lawsuit for him.

And now, merely relying on the whimsical ideas in his head, he had acquired a stipend of 880 US Dollars per year.

Plus a house. It’s said that the house alone is worth several tens of thousands of francs!

On the road, he discussed patent matters with the servant, becoming even more satisfied.

French Patent Law stipulates that it’s not just whoever applies first gets the patent. The Patent Office conducts a stringent tracing process, including a comprehensive technical assessment, making it almost impossible for malicious preemption.

However, soon, Whitney forced himself to calm down, beginning to seriously think about the new type of milling machine.

After all, if no results are produced after two years, he’ll have to roll back to Massachusetts.

Before the carriage even arrived at the hotel, Whitney’s heart had sunk again.

To develop a milling machine, first, you need a workshop.

In the United States, he could use his father’s blacksmith shop to process parts, but now he was empty-handed.

Additionally, the development process will require a large sum of money.

Not to mention that the development is bound to repeatedly fail, even if it succeeds once, manufacturing the milling machine he envisions will cost at least four or five thousand francs.

All of his two-year stipend might not even be enough…

Or perhaps he should find a job in a mechanical processing plant or similar place and conduct experiments while working.

But that would waste a lot of time.

Whitney fell asleep amid such worries.

The next day, the first thing he did upon waking up was to have the servant take him to a blacksmith shop.

A set of handy tools is the most basic requirement for all technicians.

He had left his tools in the United States—those items were very heavy and couldn’t be carried along.

He originally was a bit worried about whether French craftsmen could meet his requirements, but the moment he walked into the blacksmith shop, his whole person was stunned.

Behind the counter, the cabinet was filled with various tools such as pliers, wrenches, hammers, drills, beautifully crafted, with sizes ranging from large to small, all available.

And at least half of the tools he had never even seen before.