Live Stream 1980: Netizens Teach Me How to Make a Rocket by Hand

That wasn't just vibration; it was the pulse of metal.

Subtle feedback traveled along the cold crank handle and into the palm of the cannon.

Lin Xi stood to the side, watching the parabola gradually take shape, and couldn't help but interject:

"Master, the final step is to do a diffuse reflection treatment, to create an orange peel texture..."

"Shut up!" Li Jianguo said without even turning his head.

"I've been turning wheels my whole life, do I need you to teach me?"

Despite saying that, the old man's wrist began to tremble very subtly.

It was a high-frequency, rhythmic vibration.

To a layman, it would look like his hand was unsteady.

But in Lin Xi's eyes, this was simply a miraculous "human high-frequency flutter cutting"!

In 2025, this will require an expensive five-axis CNC machine tool with a special vibrating tool holder to complete.

In 1980, Li Jianguo accomplished this using only one hand and half a jin of baijiu (Chinese liquor).

"become!"

With a final soft click, the lathe stopped.

The silver-white aluminum cover rested quietly on the chuck.

The perfect parabolic curve, with the inner wall covered with a fine and even orange peel texture.

Like a delicate work of art, it gleamed coldly in the dimly lit workshop.

The live stream chat exploded with comments:

[I'm speechless! This is practically a human CNC machine tool!]

Is this the true value of an eighth-grade worker? It's terrifying!

[The cannon's passive skill has been upgraded; max-level characters can now carry you through dungeons!]

The workshop was completely silent.

Sun Erga's mouth was agape, and he couldn't close it for a long time.

Wang Dapao looked at his hands as if he didn't recognize them.

"Alright." Li Jianguo released his grip and casually slapped Wang Dapao's muscular arm.

"Good lad, hold your arm steady."

"He's a good prospect for a fitter job. He'll train with me and be much better than these guys who only know how to talk big."

As he spoke, the old man glanced at Lin Xi sideways, his face full of disdain.

He pointed to Lin Xi's long, slender hands:

"As for you... try to avoid touching machine tools in the future."

"Look at your hands, all white and tender like chicken feet. You can only draw, but you ruin everything when you try to use them."

"From now on, let Dapao do the rough work. You better use your brain!"

The whole room burst into laughter.

The term "chicken claws" is an offensive insult, yet it conveys a sense of intimacy and protectiveness.

Lin Xi wasn't annoyed; she smiled and lit a cigarette for Li Jianguo.

"Master, you are right to scold me."

"Without your iron fists, my head would be nothing but a decoration."

"Stop flattering me!" Li Jianguo took a drag of his cigarette.

"Let's pack it up and see!"

"I want to see what this 'little sun' thing is all about."

The final assembly was quick.

Wang Yu carefully inserted the wound nickel-chromium wire bracket into the center focal point of the reflector and connected the high-temperature resistant wire.

Wang Dapao tightened the heavy bearing base.

A moment later, a strangely shaped "little sun" with a Soviet-style heavy industrial punk vibe stood on the worktable.

"power ups!"

At Lin Xi's command, Wang Yu turned off the switch.

"collapse--"

The nickel-chromium wire gradually glowed red, like burning charcoal.

Three seconds later, the ceramic tube glowed with a golden-red light, which, after being refracted by the orange-peel textured reflector, transformed into a soft and non-glaring warm light.

The light instantly dispelled the surrounding chill, illuminating the dim corners of the workshop and the fine beads of sweat on everyone's faces.

"This...is interesting."

Li Jianguo squinted, feeling the heat wave, and his previously critical gaze changed.

"This heat-gathering effect..." the old craftsman muttered to himself, "is quite something."

Looking at the product, Lin Xi felt it was still lacking one last breath.

"Oh, and safety!"

"Wang Yu, come here." Lin Xi casually sketched a rough diagram on a piece of paper. "Do you understand this structure?"

Wang Yu took a closer look.

The picture shows a pendulum-like object with two contact points connected below it.

"A... a gravity pendulum?" Wang Yu's eyes lit up, and he stammered smoothly.

"Using...using gravity."

"When it is upright, the pendulum is vertical, the metal ring is in contact, and the circuit is complete."

"It's falling...it's falling, the pendulum has deviated, and the circuit is broken."

"Smart." Lin Xi snapped her fingers.

"I want you to make a normally closed gravity sensor switch, connected in series with the power supply."

"The sensitivity must be high; if the camera tilts more than 30 degrees, the power must be cut off instantly!"

"Can it be made?"

"No...no problem! Leave it to me!"

Twenty minutes later.

Wang Yu charged forward, holding a black plastic box about the size of a matchbox:

"Brother Lin, it's...it's done! It's connected to the power input!"

The new "little sun" is once again standing on the worktable.

power ups.

The orange-red light shone again, warm as spring.

"Erga, kick it!" Lin Xi ordered.

"what?"

"Kick it!"

Sun Erga didn't hesitate and kicked out.

"Clang!"

The heater tipped over violently.

Just as the fuselage tilted more than halfway—

"Smack."

A very faint sound of a relay clicking.

The orange-red light went out instantly, as if an invisible hand had choked it.

Before the machine had even completely slammed onto the table, the nickel-chromium wires inside had already begun to rapidly dim and cool.

The entire audience was stunned.

"Incredible!" Sun Erga's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

He lay on the table, repeatedly lifting and knocking that thing over, having a great time.

"Holy crap, this is amazing! It goes out when it falls over, and lights up again when you prop it up? Is it some kind of supernatural being?"

Li Jianguo looked at the simple pendulum structure, took a puff of his cigarette, and for the first time showed an expression of approval in his eyes towards Lin Xi: "This kid is really smart."

Look, look! This is my suggestion!

[There are no technological barriers; the main advantage lies in the overwhelming product concept!]

[Back in 1980, this kind of safety design was absolutely revolutionary; Mom no longer had to worry about the house catching fire!]

Then, Lin Xi took out a cutout mold made of cardboard.

He placed the mold onto the base, took a can of red paint spray, and gently pressed it down.

"laugh--"

On the silver-gray cast iron base, a line of large, blood-red characters leaped out:

【Red Star, Warm Sunshine】

The red five-pointed star next to it shone brightly under the light, exuding a spirit of vigor and upward striving unique to this era.

A silver reflector, a red heat source, a black base, and that bright red logo.

This is no longer some cobbled-together junk; it's an industrial work of art!

"Everyone, let's work hard and put in extra hours tonight to make at least 10 units!" Lin Xi clapped his hands, his eyes shining.

Then, he turned to Liu Guihua, who had been unable to get a word in edgewise:

"Sister Liu, it's your turn to step in."

"Do you know anyone at the department store?"

"Absolutely!"

Sister Liu pounded her chest loudly, finally feeling a sense of validation.

"I know Manager Sun over there; I'll take care of this!"

"Okay, let's go to the department store tomorrow!"