章 10: The Ambition
It's going to take three weeks for the materials to be delivered to the Research and Development Facility of Mr. Hargrave, and Matthew had no choice but to wait on it. Without materials, they can't start the job. So he decided to walk outside and explore the city of Amsterdam.
Outside, just as he expected, the smell of horse manure piled along the busy streets hit him instantly, nearly as strong as it had the first time he stepped out of the carriage. He wrinkled his nose, trying to ignore the stench, but as he moved forward, the overwhelming energy of Amsterdam began to draw his attention elsewhere.
People bustled past him in waves, each seemingly occupied with their own purpose—merchants yelling out their prices, street vendors waving fresh produce, and gentlemen tipping their hats to finely dressed ladies. Amsterdam was alive, a city in constant motion, with carts clattering over the cobbled roads, horses whinnying as they pulled heavy loads, and children darting through the crowds in fits of laughter.
Despite the chaos, Matthew found himself intrigued by the ingenuity around him. The shop windows displayed everything from intricately crafted watches to bolts of fine fabric, and even early versions of household devices he'd only seen sketches of back in Sylvania.
As he wandered further, he noticed the streetcars clinking along the tracks. Some were still horse-drawn, while others were the newer locomotive trams he had heard Hargrave mention.
That tram had a name on it, it was from Hargrave. So Hargrave dominated the railway industry in the country. With that, he realized something, if he were to make his own company, it must be something novel and new. Competing against an established giant would only bring one business to ruin as it won't be able to withstand the pressure of competition, especially without significant resources or influence.
Looking around, he already knew what the country needs to eradicate horse poops on the street. It was to introduce automobiles.
The proliferation of the automobile would revolutionize Amsterdam's streets, freeing them from the muck and chaos of horse-drawn carriages. Automobiles could transform urban transportation, offering faster, cleaner travel without relying on animals that filled the streets with waste and congestion, which is often a health risk.
As he turned the corner, a man caught his eye, standing atop a wooden crate and calling out to the crowd while waving small, colorful flyers in the air.
"Come one, come all! Witness the future of Amsterdam! A grand lighting ceremony in front of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange!"
Curious, Matthew approached him, accepting one of the flyers. The paper was printed with bold letters announcing The Grand Amsterdam Lighting Ceremony, promising a spectacle involving the latest in electric lighting technology—a revolutionary development in the city's efforts to embrace modern advancements.
"So this world already figured out a way to harness electricity and put them into streetlights," Matthew murmured, examining the flyer more closely. And it appears that it was invented by a man named Alexander Volta
"Interesting…I'm going to attend."
***
As evening settled over Amsterdam, Matthew found himself amid a growing crowd in front of the Stock Exchange. It was seven o'clock, and the only illumination came from the dim oil lamps lining the street,
Everyone was waiting for the moment they'd read about—the grand unveiling of electric lighting. Matthew stood near the front, watching as men in smart suits and women in elegant dresses gathered, whispering among themselves about Alexander Volta's revolutionary technology.
A man in a top hat and coat stepped onto a makeshift platform near the Stock Exchange's entrance, raising his arms to silence the crowd.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for joining us on this historic evening! Tonight, we witness a leap into the future, a glimpse of the possibilities that electricity brings that we often see on the dark stormy skies."
The man continued, "In honor of Mr. Alexander Volta's pioneering work, we will now illuminate this grand building with his invention!" He nodded to a technician standing by the switch, who gave a thumbs-up in response.
In an instant, the switch was flipped, and a blinding white light poured out from the top of the Stock Exchange, illuminating the entire facade. The electric glow bathed the crowd in its brilliance, outshining the oil lamps entirely and casting an almost surreal clarity over everything. The faces of the crowd were suddenly visible, their expressions were in awe as they took in the scene.
Gasps and cheers erupted as people shielded their eyes from the unexpected brightness. Children gaped in wonder, clutching their parents' hands tightly, and Matthew found himself smiling, caught up in the sheer power of the moment.
For Matthew, electric lighting had always been a given in the modern world—a technology so omnipresent it was often overlooked. Yet now, seeing the raw reactions of the crowd, he was reminded of how transformative this invention truly was. This light was more than just a marvel; it represented extended productivity, safety, and an undeniable sense of progress that could carry on after sunset.
People in the crowd began to chatter excitedly, marveling at the clarity and brilliance of the light. A young boy nearby tugged at his father's coat, his eyes wide as he pointed to the glowing facade of the Stock Exchange. "Papa, does this mean we won't need candles anymore?"
The father chuckled, ruffling his son's hair. "Perhaps someday, my boy. Perhaps someday."
Matthew's gaze wandered around, catching snippets of conversation. Merchants were already discussing how this technology could change their businesses, allowing longer hours and safer streets. A few well-dressed businessmen exchanged approving nods, murmuring about Volta's contribution and the prospect of future electric advancements.
Not only that, their reactions fueled Matthew's desire to create something equally revolutionary. He could already picture their expressions if they were to witness a carriage moving independently, not bound by the need for horses. The sight of an automobile gliding through Amsterdam's crowded streets would surely inspire the same awe, if not more, as the lighting ceremony had tonight.
And—that's decided. After he finished working with Mr. Hargrave, he would start his own automobile company and make a legacy of himself here in this world.
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