Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 650 This project, I think... Tesla has invested! (Thanks to the patron "Leaping Horse of Tianshan")

Lionel finally came to his senses and quickly said, "Dr. Taylor, let's turn it off."

George-Junior Taylor paused for a moment: "Don't you want to see how it works? I can demonstrate it for you."

“No need for the demonstration,” Lionel waved his hand. “Just turn it off.”

George Junior, still somewhat unsatisfied, said, "Mr. Sorel, I haven't even shown you all the features yet! You know, my father and I have spent two generations on this..."

Lionel quickly interrupted him: "That's more than enough, let's turn it off now."

George Junior reluctantly walked over to the machine and pulled the lever on the side.

The roar of the steam engine gradually subsided, and the machine that had left Lionel speechless with shock finally came to a stop.

The room fell silent, and Lionel gave Sophie a wink.

Sophie paused for two seconds, then realized what she had done and said in a flustered voice, "I...I left something in the carriage. You two talk first."

After saying that, she turned around and pushed open the door, her steps quick, causing her skirt to flutter in the wind.

Lionel opened his mouth as if to call out to her, but she was already gone.

Only Lionel and George-Junior Taylor remained in the treatment room, staring at each other blankly.

Lionel was speechless. He had meant for Sophie to come with him, but she misunderstood and thought he wanted her to go first.

Sophie wouldn't have acted like this before; the two of them had excellent chemistry. Now, she's left to face this awkward situation alone.

George Junior started speaking: "Mr. Sorel, do you know what 'hysteria' is?"

Lionel didn't say anything.

George Junior explained to himself: "This is a very common women's condition. The main cause is an imbalance or excess of 'neural energy' in women."

During an attack, women may experience anxiety, irritability, depression, and mood swings; in severe cases, they may even faint, have difficulty breathing, experience muscle spasms, and lose their appetite…

He paused, then raised his voice: "And there are other outward manifestations, such as disobedience to her husband, excessive reading, and even religious fanaticism! How terrible!"

As Lionel listened, he couldn't help but think sarcastically: If men in this era had fewer mistresses, women's ailment might be cured.

But he didn't say it, because it would be useless. That's how the medical concept was in this era: it was normal for men to have desires, but it was a disease for women.

Reversing this view is likely to be even more difficult than convincing the medical community and the public that cholera is caused by bacteria.

So he changed the subject: "Do women really come here to use this... machine for treatment?"

George Junior's face showed a proud expression: "Of course! And they all came with their husbands."

Lionel's mind went blank again: "Their husbands came with them? Are their husbands operating the machine?"

George Junior looked at him strangely: "They're not doctors, of course I'm the one who does it."

Lionel: "..."

George Junior stood up, walked over to the machine, patted the cast iron body, and spoke with pride.

"Mr. Sorel, this machine has a history. When my father, George the Elder, first opened this clinic in 1850, this therapy mainly used water stimulation."

Those water jets are only available in high-end spas in Paris, London, and New York; they're extremely expensive and only wealthy women can afford them.

He spoke with even greater pride: "But after repeated research, my father finally found a way to treat 'hysteria' without using machines, and he brought the price down."

The price of one course of treatment is affordable even for the middle class!

If we don't use the machine, then...? Lionel regretted that his mind was working too fast, so much so that the image appeared before he could give the order to stop.

He froze, but couldn't resist asking out of curiosity, "Then the men, I mean the husbands, will they agree too?"

George Junior gave him another strange look: "Why not? It's a disease, and my father was undergoing a treatment written in the London Medical Association's annual guidelines!"

Only by eliminating hysteria can the spirit find peace, and the soul regain its purity. This is medicine, sacred medicine, Mr. Sorel.

Lionel could only nod: "Okay, it's sacred, it's medical..." He roughly understood the logic behind it—

In this era, "decent women" were considered devoid of desire. Therefore, the treatments they received could not possibly be related to pleasure; they were merely "therapeutic responses."

He has been in this era for five years, has experienced countless shocking moments, and possesses knowledge and experience that are ahead of his time.

But every time he thought he knew enough about the world, something new would pop up and refresh his understanding.

George Junior continued, "At his peak, my father treated more than twenty patients with hysterical episodes a day. He was renowned far and wide, and his reputation was impeccable..."

He paused, a nostalgic look on his face: "Everyone called him—'Old Joe, the Golden Right Hand'!"

Lionel was numb; he had no more questions to ask.

George Junior continued, "By the 1860s, my father had developed severe tendinitis in his right hand. Sometimes the pain was so bad that he couldn't even hold a pen."

He began to wonder if machines could replace human hands. As he spoke, he walked behind the machine and pointed to the gears and linkages.

"After several years of research and repeated attempts, he finally built the machine in 1869. At the time, it was the only one of its kind in all of New York."

"Thanks to it, our family survived two waves of bankruptcy in 1873 and 1877. It also paid for my medical school tuition." He stroked the machine, his eyes as tender as if he were looking at his own father.

Lionel couldn't take it anymore; he just wanted to end the conversation as soon as possible: "Dr. Taylor. Hasn't the machine already been built and is working well?"

I don't think I need to do anything else, right? Otherwise, I'll just...

George Junior immediately shook his head: "No, Mr. Sorel, there are many problems."

He pointed to the machine: "First, the steam engine that drives it is too big, taking up the entire room next door; second, it is too noisy, and when it is turned on, the whole building shakes."

Third, the frequency is too low, less than sixty strokes per minute, and some women need ten minutes to be treated. This takes too long, and the people waiting in line are getting impatient.

Lionel quickly said, "Stop, just tell me what you want me to do?"

George Junior looked at him eagerly: "Mr. Sorel, do you think my product has market potential?"

Lionel thought for a few seconds, then decided to tell the truth: "Of course...it has great potential."

George Junior's eyes lit up: "That's why I need your investment and help! I saw those electricity demonstrations you did in Paris in the newspapers."

I've seen the reports about the Dakota Apartments and Central Park. It's amazing.

He became more and more excited as he spoke: "Electric motors are much smaller than steam engines. If this machine is converted to electric drive, its size can be greatly reduced, and even one person can move it!"

The electric motor is almost silent, and the frequency can be greatly increased, to one hundred, two hundred, or even faster per minute!
This way, each woman's treatment might only take two or three minutes! Efficiency will be greatly improved! Don't you think that makes sense?

Lionel: "..." So I'm not the only prophet among the white people.

At this point, George Junior's voice lowered: "But your electric motor is too expensive. I can't afford it."

Lionel was about to decline, but George Junior remained engrossed in his own world and continued talking.

“Mr. Sorel, the most important thing is this—with electricity, this machine can enter every household!”

Lionel was stunned again: "Thousands of households...?"

George Junior nodded vigorously: "Yes! Every household! Isn't your goal to bring electricity to every home like gas?"

Lionel nodded: "That's the idea."

George Junior said, "That's right! When every household has electricity, we can install a 'uterus tapper' on the wall in the bedroom or bathroom."

When women have an attack, they can cure themselves at home in just five minutes. This will be a must-have for every family! This is the 'modern life' you advocate!

Lionel: Someone is slandering me! Someone is slandering me!

But George Junior got more and more excited as he spoke: "Not just homes! We can install them in shopping malls, train stations, theaters, and public buildings!"
Just as convenient as a public toilet! You're absolutely right to think it has great market potential; I believe it will be as popular as a light bulb!

Lionel's mind went blank; the literary giant temporarily lost the ability to organize his thoughts—is the prospect you're talking about and the prospect I'm talking about really the same prospect?

George Junior continued rambling: "Mr. Sorel, think about it, I estimate that at least seventy percent of women will have hysteria from time to time."

What if every attack could be treated promptly? Women would be healthier! Families would be happier! Society would be more harmonious!

Lionel finally couldn't take it anymore and raised his hand to stop George Junior from continuing: "Dr. Taylor. This project, I... on behalf of Mr. Tesla, I've put in the vote!"

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"What? You voted on behalf of Nikolai?" Sophie's face was still a little red in the carriage.

Lionel nodded: "I told George Junior that I don't understand technology, and only Mr. Tesla can help improve such high-tech products."

I'll have our branch office here send him an electric motor later. And I've already told him I'm willing to relinquish all patents and naming rights to this product.

Sophie was a little puzzled: "Why? You've always been very... interested in patents before..."

Lionel shuddered and quickly waved his hand: "Let's forget about this patent. If he wants it, let him have it."

Seeing Lionel's embarrassed expression, Sophie covered her mouth and laughed: "If you don't like that machine, you can just not vote for it, right?"

Lionel sighed. "I also thought about finding a reason not to invest. But then it suddenly occurred to me, if he can't find investment from me, will he just give up?"

Sophie shook her head: "Of course he can't give up. He will continue to look for other investors."

Lionel sighed, "So when he approaches other investors, what's the most persuasive thing to say? 'This is an invention that even Mr. Sorel thinks has potential!'"

"We might as well vote for him now and shut him up."

Sophie understood; Lionel didn't want to recall it anymore, so she quickly changed the subject: "How much longer are we going to stay in the US? What are our next important plans?"

Sophie pulled out a small notebook and flipped through it: "Two more weeks. May 13th is the founding ceremony of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE, later developed into IEEE)."

"We've already invited you and Nikolai; you'll both be attending and speaking. But..."

Lionel looked at Sophie: "But what?"

Sophie smiled brightly: "But Mr. Thomas Edison is also present, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will be elected vice chairman!"

(Two chapters finished, thank you everyone. There will be an extra chapter for the patrons on Wednesday! I've had too many classes these past two days, but things will be a bit lighter after the first mock exam starts. Please vote with your monthly tickets!)
　In 1869, American physician George Taylor invented "The Manipulator," a steam-powered, bulky device requiring a separate room to house the steam engine. Vibrations were transmitted via linkages. It was claimed to be used to treat "hysteria."

　　
　
(End of this chapter)