Building a Conglomerate in Another World

May 3, 1893

The White House was quiet as the sun set over Washington, D.C. Most of the day’s meetings were finished, and the staff had retired for the evening. In a secluded part of the residence, Matthew Hesh entered a private workshop designed specifically for him. Amber had jokingly referred to it as his "sanctuary of invention."

Though Matthew’s duties as president consumed much of his time, he never forgot where his passion lay—creating and innovating. Tonight, he was focused on an idea that had been percolating in his mind for weeks.

The room was well-equipped with tools, electrical components, and various prototypes from his previous projects. He moved to a workbench where several diagrams were laid out. These were plans for technologies that did not yet exist in Amerathia but could revolutionize communication across the world.

Radio and Television.

Matthew had long known the importance of communication. The telegraph had changed the world by transmitting messages quickly over long distances, but it was limited to text. He envisioned something far more powerful—devices that could transmit sound and, eventually, images across vast distances. If successful, these inventions could connect people in ways never before imagined.

He began by focusing on radio technology.

Matthew sketched the core components of a radio system. He knew that at the heart of any radio device was a transmitter capable of sending electromagnetic waves, and a receiver that could convert those waves into audible sound.

His diagram included:

An oscillator circuit to generate a high-frequency carrier wave.

A modulator to encode voice or music onto the carrier wave.

An antenna for transmitting the signal over long distances.

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A receiver circuit equipped with a detector to extract the encoded audio from the transmitted signal.

He gathered components, including copper wire, capacitors, resistors, and vacuum tubes. The vacuum tubes, though still in early development within certain laboratories, were essential for amplifying weak electrical signals—a critical step for long-distance radio communication.

Matthew soldered connections and assembled a prototype transmitter. Once it was complete, he turned his attention to the receiver.

He muttered to himself as he adjusted the tuning circuit. "The signal needs to be strong but not overpowering… we’ll need to broadcast on different frequencies to avoid interference."

After hours of testing, he finally succeeded. He connected a microphone to the transmitter and spoke into it. "Testing… one, two, three."

The words crackled through a speaker attached to the receiver across the room. It wasn’t perfect—there was static—but it worked. He smiled, knowing he had taken a significant step forward.

Amber entered the workshop, carrying a tray with coffee and snacks. "Still working?" she asked, setting the tray on a nearby table.

"You know me," Matthew said, grinning. "I can’t help myself. But you’re just in time to witness something new."

He demonstrated the radio prototype, broadcasting his voice from one side of the room to the other. Amber’s eyes widened in amazement.

"Matthew, that’s incredible! You’re telling me you can broadcast sound over long distances with this?"

"Exactly," he replied. "Imagine being able to send news, music, and speeches across the entire country without needing telegraph lines. Farmers in rural areas, sailors at sea—anyone with a receiver could stay informed."

Amber nodded thoughtfully. "This could change everything. You could bring the entire nation together through information."

"That’s the plan," Matthew said. "But I’m not stopping there."

Matthew spread out another set of diagrams. This time, the technology was even more ambitious—television. He had already conceptualized a system that could capture and transmit moving images using a scanning technique.

"Amber, picture this," he began, pointing to his sketches. "Not just sound, but images—moving pictures—broadcast to homes. Families could watch live events, news reports, or entertainment without leaving their living rooms."

"Moving pictures? Like… a theater at home?" Amber asked, intrigued.

"Exactly. But instead of film reels, the images would be transmitted through radio waves. It’ll take time to perfect, but I know it’s possible."

The design called for:

A camera that could scan an image line by line, converting it into electrical signals.

A transmitter to send those signals.

A cathode ray tube (CRT) display to recreate the image on a screen.

Matthew worked late into the night, sketching and refining the design. He would need to collaborate with scientists and engineers to develop the necessary components, particularly the image scanner and display screen.

Amber placed a hand on his shoulder. "Matthew, you’re going to change the world again. You know that, right?"

"I hope so," he said quietly. "This isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. A farmer in Kansas could hear speeches from Washington, a worker in Pittsburgh could see the world beyond their factory, and children could learn from teachers hundreds of miles away. This technology can unite the nation in ways we’ve never dreamed of."

n the following days, Matthew discussed his plans with key advisors, including Henry Collins and General Hayes.

"This is groundbreaking," Collins said after reviewing the radio prototype. "But how do you plan to implement it on a national scale?"

"We’ll start by establishing government-supported radio stations in major cities," Matthew explained. "These stations will broadcast educational programs, public service announcements, and national news. We’ll also encourage private companies to create entertainment content—music, theater, storytelling." @@novelbin@@

"And television?" Hayes asked skeptically. "That sounds like science fiction."

"It’s further off, but I’ll have teams working on it," Matthew replied. "For now, the focus is on radio. Once the infrastructure is in place, television will follow."

A month later, Matthew hosted a public demonstration of the radio technology at a government event in Washington, D.C. Journalists, business leaders, and members of Congress gathered in a large auditorium.

Standing before the crowd, Matthew spoke into the microphone connected to the transmitter.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. You are about to witness the future of communication."

His voice echoed through speakers positioned throughout the hall. The audience murmured in awe. For the next hour, Matthew and his team demonstrated how the technology could broadcast music, speeches, and even emergency alerts.

The press coverage the following day was overwhelmingly positive. Headlines read:

"President Hesh Unveils New Age of Communication!"

"Radio to Connect the Nation!"

"The Voice of Amerathia: A Technological Revolution!"

As the weeks passed, construction of radio stations began across the country. Matthew’s workshop remained a hub of innovation, where he and his engineers continued refining both radio and television technology. His dual role as president and industrialist gave him a unique opportunity to shape the future.

Late one evening, as he reviewed progress reports, Amber joined him in the workshop. She cradled Maverick in her arms, the infant now asleep.

"How’s it going?" she asked softly.

"One step at a time," Matthew replied, smiling as he gazed at his son. "We’re building a future for him—and for every family in Amerathia."

Amber leaned against him. "You’ve always been good at seeing the bigger picture."

Matthew kissed her forehead. "And with you by my side, we’ll keep building it together."