It was twelve midnight in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The factory of the Axelsen & Nielsen Air Brake Company is still producing air brakes and locomotive draft gear. The company's workers work in three shifts to maximize production.
The workers who are currently working until eight o'clock in the morning are suffering from one of the hazards that are found mostly in the factories. The noise. They could handle the noises of the pneumatic and hydraulic equipment. But the whirring sound of the direct current generator inside the factory was unbearable.
Workers would get distracted by the noise. Despite their best efforts of reducing the sound by plugging something in their ears, the sound was still penetrating.
Poul and Jonathan were aware of the issue that is affecting the performance of their workers right now. Even though the direct current gave them a new source of light, the catch was unpleasant.
"Poul? Can you fix it?" Jonathan asked, looking at Poul who seemed to be contemplating.
"I can but not yet, I'm still designing the schematics that would work in this primitive dynamo. When I was helping Mr. Insull assemble the generator, I found some flaws such as an inefficient cooling system. It's air-cooled. I'm thinking of putting a fan on it. The windings were all over the place, producing an eddy current that decreases the efficiency of the generator. There are no ball bearings, so wear and tear are inevitable. As for the noise, I'm afraid we'll have to bear with it in the meantime. That's just how loud a generator is in the nineteenth century, or rather, the ninth century," Poul replied.
"So you can make it better but can't do something with the sound? Okay, I got it," Jonathan said, his tone a bit disappointed. He was hoping Poul could fix it as he's the one who has a degree in electrical engineering, hence has more expertise on it.
Not that he is blaming him completely though. Maybe the fact that they are working on a nineteenth-century equivalent of direct current generator in this world is what is challenging Poul.
He is more knowledgeable in modern electrical systems, not outdated ones. It goes the same for him too. His modern knowledge in civil engineering won't get him far if the technology needed to build something out of the modern world is not discovered or invented yet.
Their abilities in this world are their expertise. They knew what was lacking as if it was obvious to them. The problem is how are they going to produce the material, the tools, or the equipment? Not only that, but they also have to introduce the manufacturing techniques for it. It's a time-consuming process.
"Look Jonathan, the people in the past had experience working in such horrible conditions, I'm sure we and these men can put up with it. After all, if not only for our dedication and determination to survive in this dark technological era, we wouldn't be where we are right now."
"You're right. Well, I guess I won't be able to get a good night's sleep for this. Though thanks for the light anyways. Speaking of lights, how long does Mr. Russel's incandescent bulb last?"
"Thirteen hours," Poul quickly replied, as if the information was available all the time in his brain. "After thirteen hours, the filament will burn and we have to replace the bulbs. Speaking of bulbs, how many bulbs did you order?" Poul asked, glancing at him.
Jonathan hummed as he recalled the documents containing that information. "If my memory serves me right, there are five hundred incandescent bulbs."
"That many?" Poul gasped lightly. "Did Mr. Russel already develop a manufacturing technique that makes them able to produce much?"
"I think so, as it is the only logical explanation," Jonathan agreed and continued. "So aside from the noise, what should we do about the safety of our workers?"
Jonathan and Poul looked down from the railing and observed their workers performing their respective tasks.
"To be honest, we haven't implemented a standard on what they should wear during work hours. There is no personal protective equipment. They only wear what they wear. There aren't also hard hats that would protect their heads from falling debris. Even though we have built a clinic with four doctors and ten nurses working in it, prevention is still better."
"That concept of safety is not yet popularized in this world's era. The workers don't have protection compared to the modern world. But I'm not saying we should conform to the norm, we must be the ones to break it. We have to take care of our workers and treat them like family so that they'll bring prosperity to our company. I know I'm sounding too ambitious here but think about this."
Poul paused as he pointed at one of the workers who is currently welding two pipes together. "That man, I believe his name is Raymond. He's been working with us since our founding. He has four children, two of which are sick, and the other two are already dead. He is the sole provider for the family as his wife had to stay home to watch the two. Now, imagine if he got injured while doing his job? A career-ending injury. If we are the typical company owners, we would fire him, no question asked. With no source of income, what are they going to do? Die in starvation?"
"This is what I'm concerned about," Jonathan nodded sympathetically at one of his workers' situations. "I would love to help him but I'll have to do it secretly, otherwise the others would know and demand the same thing."
"That's the reason why I haven't approached him yet," Poul said. "There are others in this company who are having the same situation as Raymond. We can't save everyone, but at least we can help."
Jonathan yawned as he stretched his hand. "This has been a productive conversation. About safety. So, are we going to make metal hats now? Artificial plastic is not yet invented in this world, so the metal would do."
"We also need tough and durable clothes for the workers. Oh, now that I mentioned it, I think it's time that we introduce white coats to the engineers to make them look more professional," Poul said.
"So we are standardizing now?" Jonathan said.
"Hell yeah, we do. Oh, I just remembered. I think it's time that we utilize the power of electricity."
"What do you mean?"
"The direct current generator as of now can only power light. Efficient electric motors aren't yet perfected in this world. How about we start making it? We have all the materials we need to make it."
"You are making direct current motors? As far as I know, it has a wide industrial application. It is used on conveyor belts, winching systems, steel mills, rolling mills, and lathes. Industrialists would love to have one in their factories should they find out about the wonders of dc motors. Sadly, we have to focus on the air brakes and the locomotive draft gear first. Oh, about the interlocking switch and signaling system, are you going to push it forward?"
"Yeah," Poul said. "In two years, if our sales are good, we can use the profit to start that venture, and then use the profit from that venture to invest in another one."
"And that other one, are you talking about alternating current distribution systems?" Jonathan asked.
"That's correct," Poul confirmed. "It's going to be a six-year plan. So in eight hundred and eighty-seven, we will challenge Russel's direct current electric distribution system."