Ch.148Tsarina Desires a Television

Igor Sikorsky brought materials related to flying wing aircraft.

Wow, they’re still developing flying wings on one side.

I keep telling them not to rush, but they don’t listen.

As I always say, I don’t expect a finished product.

What I mean is that I don’t particularly want flying wings from a company that makes helicopters.

“Your Majesty. This flying wing, according to your design.”

“You can’t build it?”

“We can create the structure, but it needs this new engine instead of a propeller. Even that hasn’t been directly tested yet, so it’s not perfect.”

“You can deduce that much?”

“Moreover, the design is so complex. Well, it’s not impossible to build, but it might have reduced range and consume more fuel.”

He hit that point exactly.

The advantage of flying wings is really just their futuristic cool factor. In reality, aircraft with tails are better.

Flying wings only become advantageous when computer flight technology is introduced.

In other words, without computer flight technology in this era, they’re too costly and inefficient.

But conversely, this means we can show off that we can operate even inefficient things like this!

It’s outlandish, but we have the power to operate such things. That’s what’s possible.

So what’s the problem?

“Russia doesn’t need to worry about fuel, does it?”

“Of course not. But what about that new engine Your Majesty had in mind?”

I told Igor Sikorsky about the new engine as well.

Of course, I said it was something being prepared in secret.

This might lead to more progress.

“Won’t it be available by the 1930s?”

First, we need to deal with the Great Depression.

Churchill’s side is fortunate for not adopting the gold standard, but I’m not sure how things will turn out.

“Hmm. That’s quite specific. Where is it being researched?”

“Let’s just say it’s in Britain for now.”

They need to develop the jet engine quickly over there.

“Trust me. We won’t be producing many anyway, just enough to intimidate enemies. You can make ones with tails too.”

Since flying wings are difficult to build.

If they really must make one, I’d be happy with something on par with the Nazi Ho-229.

In the end, this flying wing is actually an unnecessary aircraft, but if we’re going to build it, wouldn’t we want to try something new?

The spirit of challenge, the attempt itself, could become a milestone toward future aircraft.

“I understand.”

“Again, I’m not obsessed with that manta ray shape. Without it, we can still crush the communists with force. You created the Ilya Muromets before, but now you’re working in a different field, aren’t you?”

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

Igor Sikorsky withdrew. Still, looking at the materials he left behind, there’s plenty of potential.

The spirit of challenge is extremely important.

I call on Igor Sikorsky frequently, but Russia has other companies that produce fighter aircraft.

There’s Seversky, which is different from where Ilyushin and Igor Sikorsky work together, but they focus on fighter aircraft.

Founded by Alexander Nikolaevich Prokofiev de Seversky, who in the original history emigrated to America because of the Russian Revolution and settled there.

Originally called Seversky, the company changed its name to Republic to evoke Russia, but in this timeline, with the White Army’s victory, he returned from America to establish his company.

What does this company do?

It’s the company that made the famous P-47 Thunderbolt.

The company that created a fighter aircraft that played a major role in defeating German and Japanese planes.

In other words, this fighter could have originally been developed in Russia, but wasn’t because Seversky went to America due to the revolution.

In this world, since I’ve taken over, there shouldn’t be any difficulties.

They even went bankrupt once during the Great Depression, but today’s Russia isn’t in that situation, so they’re putting more effort into fighter development.

I assigned Mikhail Leontievich Grigorashvili from Derbent, Russia, and Alexander Kartveli, an engineer from Georgia, who were helpful to Seversky Aviation in the original history.

That’s why the spirit of challenge is important. What happens when the same great person works in a different environment from the original history, with more support?

Of course, this challenge is by my standards.

Look at automobiles. The Romanov Automobile Company, formed by merging Russo-Balt and Lorraine-Dietrich, has built a factory in the Petro Factory and is producing cars with a new lineup.

That side is a merger of foreign companies, so rather than using the Tsar’s authority, it’s more about throwing money at it.

While there aren’t as many cars as on Korean roads during morning commutes, Russia is vast, and citizens are just starting to buy newly produced vehicles.

Since we can’t give everything away for free, we sell them cheaply.

So occasionally I call on Duke Yusupov to check on progress.

“Are cars selling well? I don’t see many on the roads.”

“There’s no noticeable change yet, but sales are increasing daily.”

News of rising sales isn’t bad.

It’s evidence that the Russian automobile industry is reviving.

I’m not sure what will happen when the Great Depression hits.

“Hmm, is that so?”

“People who used Russo-Balt company vehicles are buying more, and numbers are increasing, not decreasing. But if you want a dramatic change…”

“If I want?”

Is there another method?

Our Duke Yusupov seems unable to continue his sentence properly and is mumbling.

What is he trying to say?

Could there be something I need to do?

When I nodded as if telling him to speak, he finally opened his mouth.

“Ahem. Perhaps Your Majesty could ride in one yourself and be photographed for advertisements.”

So I myself would be an effective advertising model?

Well, my appearance is quite impressive on the outside.

It’s an appearance that makes people say “Wow!” just by looking at me.

With advertising and the emperor title, it would definitely be effective.

Well, that’s a joke.

“That’s not so difficult. I can certainly do that.”

If nothing else, having the emperor ride in a car would show its reliability.

People are probably buying cars now because they trust me, but if I personally ride around in one, the effect would be even better.

Without television, there’s not much else we can do directly.

I should try to establish connections with the American side regarding television.

“Then prepare a suitable car for me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As the automobile issue gradually improves, there’s only one problem left.

The Great Depression. Yes, the Great Depression.

How will the Great Depression affect this world?

Before that, I need to finish the television matter.

Thinking about it now, we need things like advertising. For that, we need television.

I snapped my fingers to call Maria, who assists me.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Maria. I need to tell Beria to find one more person.”

Zworykin is also researching television.

Zworykin’s research has probably progressed quite a bit.

If we bring in Farnsworth too, wouldn’t it be much faster?

He should have already made prototypes, so we should contact him as well.

“What about the pigeon?”

“Well, finding people doesn’t take that long. This kind of task is perfect for him.”

It’s not like Beria is the only Okhrana agent over there.

I’ve already assigned several Okhrana agents to Frank Whittle, so we don’t really need Beria for engine-related matters.

“Who should we look for?”

“Philo Farnsworth, who has produced television prototypes, would be good.”

I plan to pass along information about Zworykin to pique Farnsworth’s interest.

I’d prefer to assign Zworykin alone, but recruiting talent earlier is better.

Can’t we bring in a few people when America is reeling from the Great Depression?

We’re just asking for brief cooperation.

Even just getting some technical support would be good.

If we just focus on sponsoring Zworykin, we could develop television, or we could simply import one from America later, but there’s one reason I’m interested in America.

Due to Trotsky, America has been affected by a snowball effect that shouldn’t have existed originally.

What does this mean?

What if Farnsworth dies in some snowball effect caused by Trotsky’s chicken revolution?

That’s why we need to make contact.

For example, with talent for the Manhattan Project now in Russia, it’s uncertain when America will develop nuclear weapons.

What would happen if people who made important contributions to human history died?

We should approach them with just enough of Zworykin’s research—excluding the truly classified material—to spark interest.

It might be good to jointly release television technology with America.

If it’s not a weapon, that level of sharing should be fine.

We can raise the tech level and try various things before America implements the New Deal policy.

I’ve been wanting to approach Farnsworth for a while.

“Oh, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm? What is it? Do you have something to say?”

“Duke Yusupov is one of Farnsworth’s investors.”

“Ahem!”

Yusupov, who hadn’t left yet, coughed.

What? This guy was investing there?

“Well, that makes things easier.”

So Yusupov is one of Farnsworth’s investors?

I told him to get involved in anything profitable. Ah, that must be it.

Having already tasted success with radio, he’s probably trying television too.

“Then we can send Duke Yusupov.”

Duke Yusupov swallowed hard and moved stiffly like a broken doll.

He should help instead of just thinking about making money.

* * *

In the original history, Yusupov fled to France with his meager remaining fortune after the Red Army’s victory. The business he started failed, and he eventually moved to a small apartment where he lived until his later years.

His business acumen wasn’t particularly good, so unlike when he managed the Yusupov Palace for tourists in Russia, the business he started in France had to be closed by the late 1920s.

However, in this altered history, based on the Yusupov Palace and assets preserved by Anastasia, he made a fortune working with Tesla whom Anastasia had brought in, and accumulated great wealth through Anastasia’s ideas.

To be honest, he had essentially become Anastasia’s private “Tsar’s wallet,” but considering he nearly lost everything, it was like rising from the ashes.

“Hmm, television.”

After making some money in the radio business, Yusupov had actually looked into many things beyond what Anastasia had pointed out to him.

His worldview had broadened thanks to the business ideas Anastasia had shared.

Since it was difficult to monopolize everything domestically due to the aftermath of the civil war and the presence of German companies, he turned his attention to America.

That’s when he discovered Farnsworth.

A man similar to Zworykin, who was researching television in the Science and Technology Department back home.

‘If I sponsor this man and acquire the technology Russia needs?’

This would improve the situation for Zworykin’s television development, which the Tsar was sponsoring.

With this in mind, Yusupov had already invested a large sum in Farnsworth, who was seeking investors in America.

It wasn’t just a small amount, but investing in Farnsworth was obviously worthwhile considering the future.

The fact that the Tsar, who could see the future, had his eye on television invention guaranteed it was a successful business.

So shouldn’t he, as an investor, secure a stake?

And then the Tsar, having discovered Yusupov’s investment in Farnsworth, commanded again.

“Something big will happen in America within a year or two. Before that, I want to obtain television-related technology from Farnsworth.”

The Tsar, who held more powerful authority than anyone in the history of the Russian Empire, had commanded.

So of course he had to comply.

Duke Yusupov crossed the Atlantic with Zworykin.

He had initially thought to just receive some materials, but Zworykin strongly insisted and the Tsar approved.

Yusupov met Farnsworth together with Zworykin.

“What brings the Duke all the way here? And who is this?”

“We’re researching television in our country too, Farnsworth. We need your help. Technical help, to be precise. Talk with Dr. Zworykin.”

“Yes.”

“Pleased to meet you. I am Vladimir Kosma Zworykin. Like you, I’m a person who wants to invent television.”

Yusupov introduced Zworykin to Farnsworth, and upon hearing about television, Zworykin immediately pulled out his materials.

“These are the television-related materials I’m currently researching in Russia.”

“Hmm. It’s probably not everything and just surface-level, but it’s still impressive. I’ll help with whatever I can.”

Farnsworth, unlike himself, respected Zworykin who was researching television in Russia, and gained new inspiration from his materials.

“Thank you.”

Duke Yusupov was a strong supporter of Farnsworth.

Moreover, with the Russian Tsarina reportedly backing him, of course he could provide this level of assistance.

Zworykin saw Farnsworth’s television prototype and gained knowledge about television in Farnsworth’s laboratory.

“I see. Thank you. Thanks to you, I can develop something new for Russia and His Majesty.”

Zworykin, who had already gone to New York and returned to Russia with David Sarnoff, was able to advance television development further than in the original history under the Tsar’s support.

After glimpsing Philo Farnsworth’s television and knowledge, Zworykin gained confidence in television development.

“Not at all. I was able to see the potential of cathode ray tubes by reading your papers.”

Duke Yusupov, watching the two inventors, felt a sense of pride.

This was a historic moment.

A moment that would bring Yusupov enormous wealth in the future.

“If you ever can come to Russia, please do. Our Majesty loves talented people.”

“Hahaha. Thank you. I’m an American, so I’ll probably stay in my homeland for a while, but hmm, if war breaks out, I might go to Russia.”

Because he already had work in America, Farnsworth couldn’t go to Russia, but he sincerely wanted to work with Zworykin on his research.

Another opportunity would come someday.

“I see. Then until we meet again.”

“Yes.”

In the original history, Zworykin settled in America and they became competitors, even filing lawsuits against each other. But in this history, they met as an American and a Russian, and could seriously exchange knowledge in an academic sense.

Duke Yusupov returned to Russia with Zworykin, and not long after, they developed “Zworykin Television,” Russia’s first television.