章 441: Chapter 14: Making Money is Just an Accident

If the Christmas Eve of 1868 saw the Austrian New Energy Power Company make a name for itself in the civilized world with the "City that Never Sleeps," then 1869 cemented its position as the industry's overlord.

Following a series of patent grants, the standards of the Austrian New Energy Power Company had become the international standard for electrical systems.

Breaking that standard system wouldn't be difficult; it could always be done with enough money. It's just that no one knew exactly how much money would need to be poured in.

If it were an excessively profitable industry, then consortia might give it a try. Unfortunately, the electric power industry was just emerging, and the urban electricity supply systems, while looking appealing, were hard to profit from.

No one knew when the market would mature, but everyone was crystal clear about when the patents would expire.