Chapter 193 Lighter
"This is really a magical invention. Compared with this work of art, the gun-type lighter and Professor Bellena's invention are simply ridiculously crude."
"Well, I am also proud that I have such an excellent student."
In this era, modern lighters have not yet been invented. There are only two less common lighters.
One is the gun-type lighter. As the name suggests, the principle used is exactly the same as the way a pistol is used. Not only is it very complicated to use, but it also has a battlefield flavor. There is not only gunpowder, but also gunpowder smoke.
The other is invented by German chemist Bellena, using the principle that hydrogen will catch fire when it encounters platinum cotton.
A small glass tube is filled with an appropriate amount of dilute sulfuric acid, an inner tube is installed in the tube, and zinc sheets are placed in the inner tube. The glass tube is equipped with a top cover, which has a nozzle, platinum cotton and a switch. The zinc sheet in the inner tube contacts sulfuric acid to generate hydrogen.
The pressure generated by a certain amount of hydrogen will discharge the sulfuric acid in the inner tube into the glass tube. When the switch is turned on, the hydrogen in the inner tube rushes to the platinum cotton and catches fire; the pressure in the inner tube and the glass tube is rebalanced, and the sulfuric acid enters the inner tube again, reacting with the zinc sheet to produce hydrogen again.
The most important thing is that the size of this lighter is similar to that of a modern electric kettle, and it may explode at any time due to bumps and open flames.
However, Europeans at that time still had a strong interest in this kind of thing, so they went further and further on the evil path.
Franz certainly would not have such distress, but for safety reasons, he did not use gasoline, but kerosene.
Franz did not want the biggest scapegoat in Austrian history to leave early, otherwise the vast number of pots in 1848 would be too much to share.
In order to improve the style and taste, Franz deliberately mixed whale oil and kerosene, so that the smell of kerosene would not be too strong.
As for the design style, Franz followed the design concept of the more successful zippo lighter in later generations. The all-metal shell even had a famous sculptor in Vienna carve a double-headed eagle logo on it.
Men are really strange creatures. The sculptor did not ask for the reward from Franz, but a lighter.
After the design of Franz's lighter was sent to the Academy of Sciences, a group of smokers worked overtime and completed it in one day.
Sure enough, passion is the source of motivation. It is really the right person to let a group of smokers develop lighters.
Viscount Stratford exclaimed after hearing Metternich's words.
"I didn't expect you to be a great inventor!"
"No, it was my student who invented this, not me. I can only give him some advice in politics." Metternich said modestly.
"It seems that your student is extraordinary to be able to make such a great invention and receive your guidance." Viscount Stratford could only say something nice. After all, the other party had a tough attitude. If the talks fell through, the loss would be the British Empire.
(At this time, Britain was not an empire, but the British Empire reads more impressive than Britain.)
"It is indeed extraordinary. He is a member of the Austrian imperial family. Mr. Canning, you are here on behalf of your country. Why don't you speak frankly?"
Although Metternich was very patient, he really didn't like the other party's clumsy flattery, so he just got on the right track.
(Mainly because he was afraid that you would say I was a fool.)
Metternich got straight to the point, and Viscount Stratford was a little uncomfortable, and continued to talk to himself.
"Your Excellency, our two countries have many common interests. Looking at the whole of Europe, only Britain and Austria are willing to send troops to uphold justice and maintain order."
Metternich nodded, and it seemed that the other party was still sincere. Russia wanted to send troops, but you Britain disagreed.
Metternich hoped that France would send troops to cut off the British, but unfortunately their king was a softie.
As for Prussia, except for voting and protesting, there was nothing else they could do.
"I believe that as long as our two countries join hands, we can guarantee the interests of both sides to the maximum extent. Your sudden dispatch of troops to Serbia and Bosnia will be strongly opposed by France, Russia, and Prussia. I think your country must need our support from Britain," said Viscount Stratford.
"You are right, but I think the French will not give up their position easily and will definitely oppose your excessive punishment of Egypt. Moreover, you British, this time such a big move, at the cost of losing troops, is not just to maintain the integrity of the Ottoman Empire."
Metternich deliberately emphasized the two key words of France and loss of troops. He believed that the British suffered such a great loss this time, and they would not be willing to give up, and they must make up for it from other places.
Viscount Stratford cursed in his heart, "Damn old fox, he really won't give in. Helmut, this idiot, he really should be hanged."
Helmut's tragic defeat did bring disastrous consequences to British diplomacy. European countries have not been defeated by non-Western civilizations for a long time.
The Tories (opposition party, Conservative Party) seized this point and frantically attacked the incumbent Whig Party, which also expanded the impact of this naval battle.
At the same time, some unscrupulous media also got involved. Under their hype, Helmut's defeat was almost comparable to Napoleon's Battle of Waterloo.
But in fact, Helmut's fleet can only be regarded as a branch of the North Sea Fleet, far from the carotid artery.
It's just that most politicians are not military strategists. They only know the impact of this tragic defeat, which put the entire Whig Party into crisis.
So much so that the usually gentle Viscount Melbourne threatened to try Helmut and hang him on the gallows.
It's just that the highest punishment for the defeated generals in the British Navy is early retirement.
As for the French problem, it's not big, but it's not small. France's attitude is an unavoidable issue in this Middle East crisis.
After all, if France hadn't backed Egypt, Muhammad Ali would not dare to rashly attack the Ottoman Empire.
It's just that France betrayed his allies at the most critical moment, which made Viscount Stratford very confused.
Now Viscount Stratford is only sure of one thing, that is, he wants Austria to owe Britain a favor first, and then state his own conditions, but this trick seems to be unworkable.
"Your Excellency, I think our two countries have the same position and interests in this Middle East crisis. The further expansion of French power in the Middle East is even more detrimental to peace in the Middle East."
Metternich was not interested in such empty talk, and personally, he hoped that France would continue to fight the British in the Middle East. In this way, the day when Austria will completely integrate Italy is just around the corner.
". In view of the above reasons, our country hopes that your country can assume the responsibility of a major country in the Near East, host this meeting, and jointly discuss sanctions against the shameful invader Egypt and its master behind the scenes France."
Metternich just smiled and did not answer. He was indeed waiting for the other party to invite Austria to host this meeting, but the invader? It was obviously the Ottoman Empire that took action first.