I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 1058 France, a paradise for technicians!

Whitney turned around and saw that it was one of the judges from before. She thought he was here to tell her that her application was rejected, so she bowed in frustration and said, "Mr. Vaucanson, this is nothing..."

Vaucanson flipped through his application and said, "Well, I saw that you proposed a concept of a 'rotary milling machine', but the content is very limited. If it would be convenient for you, please."

Whitney's eyes suddenly lit up: "Of course, I have plenty of time and can introduce it to you in detail."

He followed Vaucanson into a side room and said eloquently, "Oh, that's a very flexible milling machine.

“You know, today’s milling machines can only process one side of a workpiece, and it is very difficult to mill a bevel.”

Waukanson is an expert in mechanics. He nodded and said, "Yes, that requires repeatedly removing the workpiece, changing the clamping angle, and then milling it."

Whitney excitedly said: "So I conceived a 'multi-directional feeding device'. The workbench is no longer fixed, but installed on three sets of axes to achieve movement in the horizontal, longitudinal and vertical directions.

"In this way, after the workbench clamps the workpiece, it can make complex movements along the tool. Oh, and by the way, if an indexing device is designed, the workpiece can also rotate along its own axis!

"Wait, I need to write this idea down."

He took out his notebook and continued while writing: “You can imagine that in the future, when processing a drill bit, you only need to fix the workpiece once, and then move and rotate the workbench to quickly complete the milling.

“Moreover, the accuracy does not need to rely on repeated measurements by craftsmen, and it will be more than ten times more precise than current milling machines!
“Because the tool doesn’t have to move, accuracy can be further improved.”

He closed the notebook, raised his index finger, and then put it flat: "In addition, I think the tool axis should be changed to horizontal. In this way, the depth of the workpiece can be greatly increased.

"And the horizontal cutter can be fixed with a very thick frame, which is more stable..."

He finished talking about his idea in one go, and Vaucanson nodded repeatedly: "It's a very good design, and it can be seen that you have a solid knowledge in the field of mechanics."

He stood up and said, "Please wait here for a moment."

More than ten minutes later, Vaucanson returned and placed a form in front of Whitney: "Congratulations, your 'rotary milling machine' has convinced us."

The latter was about to cheer when he heard the judge say, "However, this machine is only your idea after all, so I can only grant you the status of 'temporary talent' for two years.

"If you can complete the design of the 'rotary milling machine', at least partially, or publish an influential paper in the Journal of Nature during this period, you will be able to obtain official talent introduction status."

Whitney immediately said with confidence: "You will see my ability!"

"Then I congratulate you in advance." Vaucanson smiled and nodded. "Please fill out this identity registration form as soon as possible and give it to Mr. Francois. He is in the office next door."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries. When Wolkanson was about to leave, he suddenly thought of something and turned back to say, "By the way, perhaps you can change the water wheel drive of the new milling machine to a steam engine. The rotation of the steam engine is more stable, and you can also move your milling machine at will."

"Thank you for your suggestion. I will seriously consider it."

That afternoon, Whitney completed the formalities at the French Academy of Sciences and, led by a servant assigned to him, went to the luxurious hotel provided for him by the Academy of Sciences.

"The review procedures may take a few days." The servant called a carriage for him and explained attentively, "Then you will be a distinguished E-level talent. You will be given a house in the Palace of Grand Scholars."

Whitney asked impatiently, "Where's the allowance?"

"Twenty-two hundred francs a year, my lord."

Whitney immediately clenched his fists. This was more than three times his income in the United States.

It turned out to be a good idea not to pay the last bit of money to the lawyer.

He invented the cotton gin several years ago, but because he was not familiar with the US patent law, his invention was partially patented by others. After that, he was involved in endless patent lawsuits.

But he was just an ordinary man from a blacksmith's family. He still owed tuition to Yale University at the time and could not afford a famous lawyer. In the end, he lost the lawsuit and owed the pirates a large sum of money.

At this time, he heard from his friends that there was a Bavarian named Archard who went to France when he was poor and obtained French talent status.

Now, not only has Archard been knighted, has a net worth of hundreds of thousands of francs, and married a noble lady, but he also won the Supreme Louis Prize this year. He can be said to have achieved great success.

After repeated struggles, Whitney sold the workshop that produced the cotton gin for more than $200 and boarded a ship to France.

Well, he didn't even pay Drake's attorney, who had barely won a single case, $130 in legal fees.

Now, he earns an annual allowance of $880 just for the ideas in his head.

There is also a house. I heard that the house is worth tens of thousands of francs!

On the way, he talked about the patent with his servant again and felt even more satisfied.

French patent law stipulates that whoever applies for a patent first does not get it. The patent office will conduct strict traceability, including a full set of technical evaluations, so it is almost impossible to register maliciously.

But soon, Whitney forced himself to calm down and began to think seriously about the new milling machine.

After all, if he doesn't produce any results in two years, he will have to go back to his hometown in Massachusetts.

Whitney's heart sank again before the car even reached the hotel.

To develop a milling machine, you first need a workshop.

He could use his father's blacksmith shop in the United States to make parts, but now he has nothing.

Secondly, the research and development process requires a large amount of money.

Not to mention that the research and development would certainly fail repeatedly, even if it succeeded once, it would cost at least four or five thousand francs to manufacture a milling machine as he envisioned.

Even if he put in his entire two-year allowance, it might not be enough...

Or you should find a job in a machine processing factory or something like that and experiment while working.

But that would waste a lot of time.

Whitney fell into a deep sleep in such worry.

The next day, the first thing he did when he got up was to ask his servant to take him to the blacksmith shop.

A set of handy tools is the most basic requirement for all technicians.

All his previous tools were left in the United States - they were too heavy to carry with him.

He was originally a little worried whether the French craftsmen could meet his requirements, but the moment he walked into the blacksmith shop, he was stunned.

The cabinet behind the counter is filled with various tools such as pliers, wrenches, hammers, drills, etc. They are exquisitely made and come in all sizes from large to small.

And at least half of the tools he had never seen before.

(End of this chapter)