Building a Conglomerate in Another World

Chapter 71: New Enterprise?

By mid-1884, Matthew Hesh’s visit to Fitzwilliam Bank marked a new milestone in his journey. As he reviewed the account statements prepared by the bank’s managers, he felt a sense of awe at how far Hesh Motors had come. His personal net worth had surged past 25 million florins, making him one of the wealthiest men of the era. Yet, for Matthew, the fortune was not just a symbol of success but a means to push innovation further.

Amber accompanied him to the bank, her usual poise tempered with curiosity. "That’s quite a number, Matthew," she said, glancing at the final balance.

Matthew leaned back in the leather chair, smiling faintly. "It’s not just about the money, Amber. It’s about what we can do with it. We’ve revolutionized land transportation, but there’s still more ground—or air—to cover."

"Air?" Amber raised an eyebrow. "I don’t understand, what are you talking about?"

"Well, Amber, I am going to ask you a question, is it possible for us humans to conquer the skies?" Matthew said.

Amber tilted her head, considering his words. "You’re talking about powered flight, aren’t you? Like those experimental gliders and balloons we’ve read about in the papers?"

"Exactly," Matthew said, nodding. "But I’m not just talking about experiments or novelties. I’m talking about practical, reliable machines that can transport goods and people across vast distances. Imagine the possibilities—faster deliveries, global trade networks, even connecting nations in ways we can’t fully comprehend yet."

Amber’s skepticism faded as she saw the determination in Matthew’s expression.

"It’s ambitious," she admitted. "But if anyone can make it happen, it’s you. After all, you are the genius of the century."

Matthew smiled, his confidence bolstered by her faith. "Thank you, Amber. The era of land transportation is thriving, but the skies are still unclaimed. And with the resources we now have, we’re in a position to lead this new frontier."

***

Matthew knew at a certain point, he would get to introduce aircraft in this world. And this was the best time for him to do that as his automobile enterprises are generating him enough profit to start another venture.

Matthew held up a small prototype of a propeller. "The engine will power the propeller, which generates thrust. We are going to use a different kind of engine. Unlike automobile engines, which use an inline or V-shaped arrangement for their cylinders, a radial engine places its cylinders in a circular pattern around a central crankshaft."

One of the younger engineers raised a hand. "Why a radial engine, Mr. Hesh? What makes it better for aircraft?"

Matthew smiled, appreciating the curiosity. "Good question. Let me explain. A radial engine is ideal for aircraft because of its compact design, which reduces weight and distributes it evenly around the crankshaft. This balance minimizes vibrations, which is crucial for maintaining stability in flight."

He pointed to his diagram. "Each cylinder fires in a sequence, creating consistent power. The design allows for excellent cooling, as the airflow from the moving aircraft naturally cools the exposed cylinders. This means we don’t have to rely on complex and heavy cooling systems like water-cooled engines. Now for the components."

Matthew turned back to the room, holding up a piece of lightweight metal alloy. "Aircraft engines require materials that are both strong and light. For the crankshaft and rods, we’ll use steel alloys for durability. For the cylinders, aluminum will be our material of choice—it’s light, conducts heat well, and is easier to machine than steel."

He tapped the table for emphasis. "The propeller will be carved from laminated wood for now. It’s lighter and easier to work with than metal, but it’s still strong enough to handle the forces of flight."

Rober, who had been quietly taking notes, raised his voice. "How do you plan to test such an engine? We’ve never built anything like it before."

"We’ll construct a stationary test stand first. The engine will be mounted and run for hours to identify any issues with heat, vibration, or power output. Once we’re confident in its performance, we’ll install it in a prototype aircraft."

"What about fuel efficiency? Aircraft can’t carry large amounts of fuel without adding significant weight."

"Good point," Matthew said, nodding. "We’ll design the engine to operate at a consistent, moderate power level to optimize fuel consumption. The carburetor settings will also be fine-tuned for efficiency during cruising speeds, which will be the majority of the aircraft’s operation. Any other questions?"

No one raised their hands.

"Good, let’s get started."@@@@