Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 175 Nixon: "This works?" (4k)

Photolithography is important now, but not that important.

Few companies recognize the importance of lithography technology.

Within the Soviet bloc, only China had this understanding.

Because China has fully witnessed the power of miniaturization of silicon-based components.

The Raspberry Pi is the best example, fully demonstrating the terrifying power of large-scale stacking after transistor miniaturization.

Photolithography is a key technology for the miniaturization of silicon-based devices.

Only through photolithography can micron-level structures be precisely defined on silicon wafers to achieve complex circuit layouts.

Texas Instruments began applying photolithography to silicon wafers in 1957, replacing the previous methods of manual masking and chemical etching.

At this point in time, Texas Instruments' resolution had already reached 5-10 micrometers.

China adheres to one principle: closely monitor the progress in Silicon Valley, especially companies like Texas Instruments and IBM that have close cooperation with America.

By closely monitoring Silicon Valley, drawing inspiration from the Raspberry Pi, and making judgments based on the principles of physics, China formulated a plan to cooperate with East Germany and Zeiss no matter what.

Ion-related equipment can be put on hold, but optical instruments should be expedited as much as possible.

Clearly, with the debut of the new generation of Panda radios at the Leipzig Trade Fair, China has successfully achieved its goal.

Upon hearing this, Dean Qian said with satisfaction, "Yes, the alien industry behind the Raspberry Pi is like a towering tree."

Even if we only mastered a tiny bit of it, we were able to create equipment like the Panda brand that sells well globally.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize that semiconductors require far more than just the 10,000 or so people here. From research and development to production, semiconductors involve far too many fields.

Therefore, we must both rely on our own efforts and make the most of external assistance.

China's strategic vision in the semiconductor field is that we are currently in a catch-up phase, and in this phase, we must make good use of any available factors.

“Yes, we don’t have the luxury of being picky right now,” Huang Kun remarked. “Besides, we also need to produce some decent quality consumer goods.”

Only consumer products based on semiconductor technology can support such a massive industrial chain.

Given China's financial situation, it is impossible for it to invest as many resources in semiconductor engineering as America did.

Even if the country could grit its teeth and squeeze out this money, how many years could it sustain it? It might take thirty years or even longer to replicate the Raspberry Pi.

We must strive to be as self-sufficient as possible and reduce our dependence on national finances.

This is another principle that Area 51 established.

The complexity of the Raspberry Pi and the semiconductor industry behind it led them to realize from the beginning that they could not rely entirely on government funding to conduct research without considering applications.

The Panda brand radio was a product of this principle, and the design of the portable calculator was also based on this principle.

Dean Qian nodded: "Yes, the country is not rich now, and Area 51 is a resource that we have squeezed out by gritting our teeth."

The pressure is immense from both the north and the south.

Fortunately, you've worked hard enough, and we now have products like the Panda brand radio that have made a name for themselves in the international market.

After the experts, led by Huang Kun, formulated a strategy, it was approved by Dean Qian, and the success of the Panda brand allowed this strategy to continue.

At that time, China's total annual export value was only about US$12 billion, so US$2000 million in sales was equivalent to one-sixtieth of that.

Moreover, the reason it sells for 20 million is because the production capacity is only 20 million, not because the Panda brand can only sell for 20 million.

This year, they expect to ship 200 million Panda brand radios, including both standard and portable models, generating $4000 million to $6000 million in foreign exchange earnings.

This figure is not enough for Area 51 to break even, but it has already demonstrated their potential.

Their plan is to achieve overall break-even for Area 51 when the portable calculator is launched.

It's important to know that Area 51 not only has a semiconductor industry, but also missile research and development.

This goal is essentially to make money to support a major military industrial project.

"Kennedy and Johnson were cowards! They were far too soft on the Soviet Union!"

We need to be tough! Only then can we win the Cold War!

"I strongly oppose the Civil Rights Act. The federal government is interfering too much! We must respect the rights of each state; they have the right to decide how to build their own states!"

Fred's unprecedentedly tough stance helped him stand out in the primary election, where he battled to the very end against another tough candidate, Goldwater.

At the Elephant Party's national convention, after a vote, he defeated his main rivals, including Barry Goldwater and Nelson Rockefeller, by a very close margin to become the Elephant Party's candidate.

The 1964 Elephant Party internal election was interesting because of Kennedy's death and Lyndon Johnson's push for the Civil Rights Act, so the candidates within the Elephant Party felt that voters preferred moderate positions.

Therefore, from Nelson Rockefeller to William Scranton and other candidates, they all maintained a moderate stance.

Originally, only Barry Goldwater held a conservative position.

As a result, Elephant Party voters leaned heavily towards conservatives, and in the first round of voting, Barry Goldwater overwhelmingly defeated his opponents.

But this time and space is different. Fred's sudden emergence, despite being an ordinary person, shows that he dares to shout slogans, and his slogans are even more extreme than those of Barry Goldwater.

This forced Barry Goldwater to dig up news about Fred's past in the KKK.

That's right, before the presidential election even started, Fred's past as a member of the KKK was dug up.

Unexpectedly, instead of jeopardizing Fred's election prospects, it had the opposite effect.

When a senator claims to be conservative and hardline, it's not as tangible as Fred joining the KKK and engaging in violent activities to promote racial discrimination!

The KKK's white supremacist propaganda led to a unanimous support for Fred among conservative voters, especially in Southern states. They simply liked this old-school white supremacist.

When Fred campaigned in the Southern states, thousands of people would come to his speeches. He would not speak, but at the end, these white people would spontaneously recite the poem "The Nixon in the White House."

It was even adapted into a song and publicly sung by everyone at the end of his campaign speeches, which Fred made a regular feature of the event.

His supporters are extremely loyal, with some following him throughout his campaign speeches and traveling to all 16 states involved in the primaries.

So much so that when Lin Ran saw Fred, who looked just like the cult leader, on the TV news, he was shocked. Is this talent? Is this the talent you inherited from your son?

The situation was so ridiculous that when Fred was asked about this during a television interview, he said he did not discriminate against Black people, believed in racial equality, had a good relationship with the professor, and was not a racist. No one believed him.

His supporters believe that Fred's statement was just a campaign stunt, and that he is a white supremacist at heart.

His opponents, however, were even more disgusted with him.

Later, Woody Guthrie's song "Old Man T****" was unearthed, and during the Elephant Party's internal election campaign, the American public became more clearly aware of Fred's white supremacist ideology.

Woody Guthrie was one of the most famous musicians of the 1950s, and he once rented an apartment from Fred.

"He probably knew how much racial hatred the old man T**** had incited, and how much anger he had stirred up in the boiling cauldron of people's hearts."

“When he drew that racial line in his Beach Haven Family Project, Beach Haven was no longer my home!”

"The beach haven is a towering tower of T****, and no black people dare to wander here."

This is a small portion of the lyrics.

This contrast means that the more his supporters like him, the more his opponents hate him.

Clearly, within the conservative Elephant Party, Fred ultimately won the internal election and became the Elephant Party's candidate.

In an effort to prevent Fred, such a radical conservative, from becoming the Elephant Party's candidate, Pennsylvania Governor William joined the race late in the season.

But Fred defeated all of them with overwhelming force. The only one who caused him any trouble was Barry Goldwater, a fellow conservative, who also lost out as his past with the KKK and his book "Old Man T****" were brought up.

Fred himself never imagined that his past discrimination against Black people would bring him such benefits.

Although he didn't say it out loud, Fred muttered to himself in his office when no one was around, "I knew it was right to discriminate against Black people!"
"If there were no discrimination against Black people, what qualifications would I, a political newcomer, have to become the Elephant Party's candidate?"

Lin Ran was not the only one shocked; Nixon was also shocked.

Nixon hoped Fred would be nominated for the Elephant Party, but Barry Goldwater's momentum was too strong in the early stages, so he didn't have high hopes.

It's just proceeding according to plan, giving Fred the resources he's entitled to.

Unexpectedly, Fred attracted conservative voters with even more explosive remarks, and the two fought neck and neck with Barry Goldwater.

When the KKK's past was exposed, Nixon thought Fred was finished and about to suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of Barry Goldwater, but Fred actually achieved a golden cross.

Fred surpassed Barry Goldwater in the polls for the first time.

The more the dark history of racial discrimination is dug up, the more conservative voters in the Southern states support Fred.

Lin Ran could only get bits and pieces of information at the Redstone Base, and all he knew was that the matter was outrageous.

Nixon was involved throughout the entire process, and he even campaigned for Fred and gave speeches.

He was someone who watched helplessly as Fred's supporters became incredibly fanatical.

Nixon thought to himself, "This works? So conservative voters like this type of thing? This is a bit crazy."

The KKK is not a bad deed; in Fred's case, it's a badge of honor.

Fred's supporters were so enthusiastic that Nixon was somewhat afraid. He was worried about what would happen if Fred won this year, and if Fred were to challenge him for the Elephant Party nomination four years later. Could he really win?

“Richard, would you be interested in being my vice president?” Fred asked before leaving New York for Huntsville.

After securing his candidacy for president, Fred decided to personally visit Lin Ran in Huntsville.

He wanted to express his gratitude, because if the other party hadn't told him how to take this path and provided him with help, he would never have been able to take this path. He also wanted to ask Lin Ran for advice.

With the White House just a step away, Fred was determined not to lose to Lyndon Johnson.

Richard Nixon nodded slowly, his tone cautious: "Fred, I'm honored. Your performance in the Elephant Party primaries was impressive; you're clearly ambitious."

But the real election is completely different from the primaries. Are you sure you're ready?

Nixon tilted his head slightly, scrutinizing Fred with a polite smile.

Fred Trump grinned, stood up, and walked to the window: "Of course I'm ready, Richard. I was born for this."

Fred slumped back into his chair, staring at his desk. "Fine, Richard. I won't force you."

Fred thought to himself, "As expected, Richard still has his eyes on the White House. You think you can use me as a stepping stone? You won't get away with it so easily."

Richard Nixon nodded and turned to leave: "Thank you for your understanding, Fred."

Fred remained seated, gazing out the window at the bustling New York City, wondering why the professor wasn't from America.

In his view, Lin Ran was the perfect candidate for vice president.

A member of a minority group, well-known, moderate enough, with extensive Cold War experience, and good relationships with academia and Wall Street.

The only regret is that Lin Ran was born in Europe, which means he cannot be a vice-presidential candidate.

Fred shook his head, clearing his mind of distractions. He knew this election would be an incredibly arduous marathon, and he was determined to persevere to the very end.

Based on this, consult a professor to see if there are any winning strategies.

(End of this chapter)