Chapter 218: Inviting Edison to Saint Denis
The invention of film dated back quite some time, but at present it existed only as black-and-white silent pictures, without sound.
It failed to capture the public’s interest, and as a result, very few people paid attention to it.
However, Davey knew that this was precisely the most cutting-edge stage in the history of cinema.
At this time, in France, Méliès and Pathé were already researching color film stock. Meanwhile, in the United States, as early as 1887, Thomas Alva Edison had founded the Phonograph Company and begun researching what he called “moving pictures.”
In 1892, General Electric merged with Thomson-Houston Electric Company to form General Electric, forcing Edison out of the company.
By last year, Edison had not only exhausted all his assets but had also taken on heavy debt.
This period marked the lowest point of his life, a time of dramatic rises and devastating falls.
Even his later work on storage batteries would not begin until the following year.
Right now, Edison was likely sunk in decline and frustration.
“I know about this, Davey. Before I even started college, back in 1891, I attended a demonstration of moving-picture projection technology. It relied on the persistence of vision.”
“A scientist—or perhaps a businessman. I remember his name: Thomas Alva Edison.”
“But projection technology is still very immature. It’s black and white, and honestly quite boring. Are you thinking of getting into this business too?”
Stella had grown up in the affluent East. Thanks to her privileged background, she had been exposed to some of the most advanced technologies of the era from a young age.
In the United States, scientists did not rely on state funding. Instead, they had to publicly demonstrate their inventions to attract wealthy patrons and investors in order to secure the resources needed to continue their research.
“Yes, Edison. I think he’s an excellent scientist and also a capable businessman. But from what I read in the newspapers, his recent situation hasn’t been very good.”
“He may already be bankrupt, but his talent won’t be buried. This is only temporary.”
Edison was both a scientist and a capitalist. Among the more than one thousand patents registered in his name, only a small portion were his own inventions. The rest came from the work of his teams or from inventions he purchased and then patented.
The light bulb, for example, had existed long before him. Just as the Watt brothers improved the steam engine, Edison refined and commercialized the electric light bulb.
Because of this, Edison fought a seven-year legal battle in federal court and ultimately won.
Interestingly, Edison also had an indirect connection to the Van der Linde gang.
In 1903, Edison produced the film The Great Train Robbery, which was based on the very same Cornwall train robbery carried out by Dutch and his crew shortly after they came down from the snowy mountains.
“So, Davey, you want to invest in him, right? A scientist-turned-businessman,”
Stella asked.
Davey nodded.
“Yes, that’s right. And not just the garment factory. I believe that in the future of the United States, science and technology will matter more than anything else.”
“If we can control enough patents, then we won’t need to worry about making money.”
“Of course, before that, we’ll have to spend a lot of dollars. But I believe it’s worth it.”
“I need your help, Stella. You know I don’t know Edison personally, and I don’t even know where he lives. He probably wouldn’t trust me either.”
Davey genuinely had no idea where Edison was living at the moment. Even trying to find him would be troublesome.
But for Stella, it likely wouldn’t be too difficult.
Truthfully speaking, compared to Edison, Nikola Tesla was the real scientific genius. However, at this time, Tesla was at the height of his fame in the United States. He would never come to discuss cooperation with a bootlegger, much less travel to the remote West.
“Of course I’ll help you, Davey, if you think investing in him is a good idea.”
“I have classmates working at General Electric. I think they should have a way to contact Edison.”
“So, you want to invite him to Saint Denis?”
Federal University alumni formed a powerful network, and as one of its outstanding graduates, Stella clearly had strong connections.
At fifty-two years old, Edison was still highly famous in the United States, and finding him would not be difficult.
“Of course. Why not? If possible, help pass along a message to him.”
“I can build a new research institute for him in Saint Denis and fully fund his research, including paying the salaries of the assistants he previously employed. As long as he’s willing to come, everything is negotiable.”
The corners of Davey’s mouth lifted slightly. He felt a genuine sense of curiosity toward this figure he had only known from elementary school textbooks in his previous life.
Although Edison was more of a capitalist than a pure scientist, Davey was not someone to be taken lightly either.
If Edison tried to play tricks, it wouldn’t be something money alone could resolve.
Most importantly, ten years later, Edison would invent sound film—a milestone in cinematic history.
Davey didn’t know whether, with his full financial support, Edison might develop sound films several years earlier.
After all, that would mark the beginning of Hollywood in the United States.
By that point, once he had built his own Hollywood, would Davey still need to worry about making money?
...
Stella would need some time to get in touch with Edison.
For now, Davey needed to focus on establishing the garment factory and planting his own cotton in the West.
Regarding the garment factory, Davey planned to contact Mrs. Berry through Mrs. Calhoon.
A garment factory required workers, and female workers were particularly suitable, which meant a large number of job opportunities for women.
Since Davey was setting up a garment factory, he naturally had no intention of thinking small. Even at the initial stage, it would provide at least hundreds of jobs.
In this era of economic depression, countless people longed for a chance at employment.
Davey naturally intended to maximize the benefits.
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