Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 654 The Decisive Moment!

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Thomas Edison stood up and slowly said:

"Mr. Tesla, you say alternating current travels farther. You say one power plant can supply an entire city. Let me ask you a very simple question—"

DC power certainly requires many power plants. But how large would your AC power plants need to be to supply electricity to the entire city? How much coal would they need to burn?

You're just replacing dozens of small chimneys with a few giant ones. What kind of progress is that? The city will still be shrouded in smoke!

Although everyone knew that Edison's question was nitpicking, no one spoke up. Everyone was also curious to hear how Tesla would solve the problem.

Just as Nikola Tesla was about to speak, Lionel stood up: "Mr. Edison, I will answer this question."

Edison looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Mr. Sorel. I never imagined that besides being a writer, you'd also become an electrical engineer."

Lionel walked to the front of the stage. He glanced at Tesla, who nodded and returned to his seat.

Lionel turned to Edison: "I really don't understand technology. How the motor turns, how the current flows, that's Nikola's job, I know nothing about it."

But I do understand one thing—who truly represents the future!

Thomas Edison gave a disdainful look—in New York, there were thousands of people claiming to "represent the future," and almost all of them were frauds.

Lionel ignored him and instead took out a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it: "Since Mr. Edison asked about the power plant, I'll share some news with you."

He pretended to look at the paper, then looked up and surveyed everyone:

"A joint venture, led by Sorel-Morgan Electric and several other investors, is about to establish Niagara Falls Electric Company. The investment amount is four million US dollars."

The meeting room erupted in chaos. Apart from Tesla, who already knew the news, no one could remain calm.

Everyone stood up, letting out a huge gasp and exchanging glances with those around them, including Thomas Edison.

Lionel remained unfazed and continued reading the contents of the paper:

"We will build the world's largest hydroelectric power station at Niagara Falls. Using an alternating current system, we will transmit the electricity to Buffalo, a distance of more than forty kilometers."

At this moment, everyone was watching Lionel with burning passion in their eyes.

Four million dollars! Even in the context of the current massive infrastructure construction in the United States, this is a huge investment.

However, considering the background of "Sorel-Morgan Electric", everyone understood – this kind of large-scale financial operation is exactly what Morgan is good at.

Once the crowd quieted down, Lionel continued, "This is not an experiment, not a demonstration, but a real commercial power station! Once completed, it will provide electricity to factories and residential areas in Buffalo, 24 hours a day."

He looked at Edison and said, “Mr. Edison, you just asked how much coal the large power plant will burn? At least the Niagara Falls power plant we are building will not burn coal; it will use water!”
The waterfall water is inexhaustible, clean, and hygienic!

Edison didn't say anything, but the others in the room started clapping again.

The massive investment means that a large amount of resources will be integrated into this project, the largest single power plant project in the United States.

The people present were all from the electrical industry; who wouldn't want a piece of the pie? As for whether or not coal was burned, or how much was burned, that wasn't important at the moment!

Lionel put the paper back in his pocket: "Mr. Edison, direct current has its merits. The Pearl Street power station lit up New York; that's history, and it won't be forgotten."

But technology doesn't stand still. Forty kilometers, no relay stations, no need to build a power plant every few blocks—that's what alternating current (AC) can do.

The journey from Niagara Falls to Buffalo is just the beginning; through high-voltage electricity technology, it will eventually deliver electricity to cities hundreds of kilometers away.

This is the future I'm talking about!

After saying all this, Lionel walked back to his seat and sat down again.

The noise in the conference room grew louder. Several engineers gathered around Tesla and began asking him about the Niagara power plant.

More people whispered among themselves, exchanging glances and murmurs.

Edison stood there for a few seconds, then sat back down in his seat without saying another word.

What Lionel just said is precisely what Edison's direct current could never do.

Direct current has too much loss and too short a transmission distance, making it impossible to build hydroelectric power stations on large rivers; rivers in industrial areas often have slow flow rates, which is also unsuitable.

Seeing that the scene was becoming increasingly chaotic and everyone seemed to have forgotten the purpose of today's meeting, Nathaniel Keith walked to the podium and knocked on the table.

"Gentlemen, it's getting late. Today's meeting agenda is complete. If there are any further questions, we can continue our discussion after the meeting."

He paused for a moment, then said, "The American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEEE) is officially established today. Thank you all."

Applause broke out, but it was sparse; people's attention was clearly not on the newly established association.

The chairmen and vice-chairmen were also completely captivated by the grand plan that Lionel had just described.

The meeting ended, but almost no one left immediately; instead, they huddled together and continued talking.

Lionel and Tesla were immediately surrounded, all asking about the Niagara power plant—technical details, when construction would begin, and whether they could visit…

Thomas Edison walked out alone. When someone tried to speak to him, he waved them off and continued walking.

As he reached the door, he paused, glanced back at the crowd in the conference room, and then pushed open the door and walked out.

Lionel dealt with the questions around him, glancing at the doorway when he had a spare moment. But the door was already closed.

Bell asked eagerly, "The Niagara Falls power station, such a big deal, how come there was no prior warning?" Lionel smiled and said, "It was only finalized yesterday. Mr. Morgan's side is already prepared, and there will be an official press release tomorrow morning."

An engineer nearby asked, "Mr. Sorel, when will construction of the power station begin?"

Lionel turned to him: "Construction will begin this fall. It is expected to be completed within three years."

The man nodded: "May I have a tour?"

"We'll make arrangements then."

Another person asked, "What voltage should be used for transmission?"

Tesla chimed in: "The initial design is 11,000 volts. It will be stepped down after being transmitted to Buffalo."

……

The questioning lasted for about twenty minutes before the crowd slowly dispersed.

When Lionel and Tesla walked out of the building, it was almost ten o'clock. The gaslights on East 23rd Street were on, casting a dim yellow light on the sidewalk.

The two boarded the carriage. The doors closed, and the carriage began to move forward.

Nikola Tesla slumped back in his seat, completely limp and motionless.

Lionel looked at him: "Nikola, are you tired?"

Tesla shook his head: "It's not that I'm tired. It's just that my mind is still racing. There's still a lot of stuff I haven't finished explaining."

Lionel laughed: "There will be other opportunities. Today is an inauguration ceremony, not an academic seminar. You've already 'performed' well enough."

Tesla grunted in response and said nothing more as the carriage sped along in the night.

After a long while, Lionel whispered, "Nikolai, thank you."

Tesla sat up, somewhat surprised: "Thank me? Why?"

Lionel stared intently into Tesla's somewhat melancholic eyes: "Thank you for being willing to tell the world about the 'rotating magnetic field'."

Tesla was taken aback, not expecting that Lionel would thank him for doing this.

The young genius was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "This is my duty, and I don't need anyone's thanks."

Technology can be protected by patents, but scientific principles cannot. To conceal the principles from the world is to commit a crime against humanity.

Science has progressed to where it is today because each of us stands on the shoulders of others. So when you made the suggestion, I didn't hesitate at all.

Mr. Morgan, on the other hand, has always been a little confused about this decision… Hopefully, he'll come to his senses.”

Lionel gave a soft "heh": "He'll see. From tonight onwards, there's no chance for DC and Mr. Edison."

Tesla suddenly remembered something and jokingly asked, "Now that everyone knows the principle of rotating magnetic fields, aren't you afraid that someone will invent a better motor?"

Lionel shook his head firmly: "Don't be afraid! Because Nikola Tesla is in our laboratory."

Upon hearing this answer, Tesla gave a reserved smile, but his eyes were full of arrogance.

The carriage turned onto Fifth Avenue, and the lights of the hotel building could be seen in the distance.

Lionel looked at the lights outside the window: "After tonight, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers—no, I should say the entire history of physics—will remember this day."

They fell silent, letting the gentle night envelop them.

--------------

The next morning, the New York newspapers were indeed in an uproar.

The New York Herald’s front-page headline read: “A four-million-dollar bet: Niagara Falls will light up Buffalo.”

The New York Tribune: "The Triumph of Alternating Current: Sorel-Morgan Announces Mega Hydroelectric Power Plant Plans."

The Sun went even further: "Edison's nightmare: Niagara Power Station pronounces the death penalty on direct current."

The reports all mentioned Tesla's speech at the AIEE founding ceremony last night, praising Tesla for rewriting humanity's understanding of electricity.

In addition, there was Lionel's announcement of plans to build a power plant on Niagara Falls, which was officially confirmed by Morgan Stanley's offices this morning.

Edison did not respond immediately. It wasn't until the afternoon that Samuel Insall issued a brief statement to the newspapers:
Mr. Edison congratulated AIEE on its founding and pledged to continue its commitment to providing safe and reliable DC lighting systems for the United States.

No comment on the Niagara Falls power plant project.

Lionel looked at Edison's statement in the newspaper, stood up, and said to old Morgan in front of him:

"Well, it seems this 'Menlo Park genius' hasn't given up yet. But unfortunately, it will all be over after the afternoon press conference."

Old Morgan frowned: "Leon, do we really have to do this? You know, this is a huge, huge profit..."

Lionel shook his head: "It's precisely because it's 'big,' even 'too big,' that we have to give it up."

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(End of this chapter)