Chapter 155: 154, Future Thinking: First-generation Logic Components, Asia-europe Flight Takeoff
Before preparing to contact professors from Tsinghua University Physics Department, Fang Wen needed to understand this person’s basic situation.
He brought the man to the general manager’s office for a private conversation.
“Can you tell me about your situation?”
“Are you the Taishan Airlines general manager?” the man asked in surprise.
“Yes, so I said I can definitely help you, but the premise is that everything you say is true.” Fang Wen smiled in response.
“My name is Bai Zeshan, from Nanjing, graduated from National Central University electrical engineering department, now working as an electrical engineer at Meisheng Radio Station.”
Meisheng Radio Station was a radio station established in the Republic of China year 21, that is, last year.
Speaking of which, the establishment of this radio station had some connection to Fang Wen.
Last year, when Fang Wen was surrounded and chased by Japanese spies in SH City, the Chinese host of Meilingdun Radio Station angrily expressed dissatisfaction with the Japanese taking action outside the concession, and then voluntarily announced his resignation on the broadcast.
This host then raised funds with friends to start a radio station of their own countrymen, called Meisheng.
During the January 28th Incident back then, it was also this host who interviewed Fang Wen in the hangar.
Later, when the host opened Meisheng Radio Station, he often listened to the station’s broadcasts and even sent people to fund Meisheng Radio Station when it was facing operational difficulties.
Therefore, he had a good relationship with the boss and host of Meisheng Station.
He then directly called Meisheng Radio Station to confirm.
“Mi Fazhen, let me ask you something. Does your station have an engineer named Bai Zeshan?”
“Yes, he took leave today, saying he won a prize, and then disappeared. I’m still looking for him.”
“No need to look. He’s here with me. He won our company’s Asia-Europe flight grand prize.”
“Really? 1000 silver dollars. He’s rich now.”
Fang Wen hung up the phone and looked at Bai Zeshan: “I will find a few experts to ask you some questions. If you can answer them all, I’ll believe you.”
“Can only ask about vacuum tubes.” Bai Zeshan added uneasily.
“Okay. Wait here.” Fang Wen opened the door and asked Chun Cao to serve tea to Bai Zeshan, then strode downstairs.
He needed to contact professors from Tsinghua Physics Department.
Of course, not by flying there, but by the simpler telegram method.
Because of researching the radar project, Tsinghua Physics Department radar lab made some radio equipment themselves, including a radio station, which was just right for communication to understand research progress.
Fang Wen sent a telegram at the appointed time, requesting questions about vacuum tubes, as well as the correct answers.
For Fang Wen’s request, the professors did not ask questions but replied directly.
Fang Wen, having obtained the questions, hurried back.
Nearly an hour had passed by now, and Bai Zeshan, drinking tea and waiting in the office, was not anxious at all for the sake of studying abroad.
The door opened, and Fang Wen gave Bai Zeshan paper and pen.
“I’ll give two questions for you to answer on the spot. Okay?”
“No problem.” Bai Zeshan replied.
Fang Wen took out paper and read the question.
“First question: In a crystal radio, the key vacuum tube amplifier suddenly has a gain drop, causing damage to the entire device’s performance. Please analyze possible causes and propose solutions.”
Bai Zeshan wrote on the paper without thinking.
After finishing, Fang Wen picked it up to look.
【There are 4 possible causes.】
【Vacuum degree decline: Insufficient vacuum inside the vacuum tube may cause electron flow to collide with residual gas molecules, reducing the number of electrons reaching the anode and lowering gain.】
【Filament aging: The filament heats the electron-emitting cathode; if the filament ages, its electron emission ability will decrease, leading to gain drop.】
【Cathode poisoning: The cathode surface may be covered by substances from adsorption of certain residual gas molecules or chemical reactions, reducing electron emission.】
【Internal component damage: Damage to the grid, anode, or other internal structures may also cause gain reduction.】
【Solutions:】
【Check and re-evacuate: If vacuum degree has declined, re-evacuate the vacuum tube to the specified standard.】
Replace filament: If filament is aged, replace with a new one.
Clean cathode: Use appropriate cleaner to clean the cathode surface and remove possible contaminants.
Check and replace internal components: Carefully inspect internal components and replace if damaged.】
Good, very professional, even one more point than the professor’s answer.
Fang Wen nodded and continued questioning.
But this question came from the future.
He asked.
“Second question: Suppose using vacuum tubes to make a simple calculator that can perform basic addition operations. How would you realize it?”
This question was the prototype of the first generation electronic computer in history.
Although Fang Wen was not clear on how to make the entire device, he knew part of the principle: expressing logical operations through electronic components.
And vacuum tubes were the first generation operational logic components.
He was very much looking forward to how people of this era would understand such a question.
Bai Zeshan had never encountered such a question before.
And it was about his specialty, vacuum tubes.
He was stunned; the experts brought by the Taishan Airlines general manager were too amazing, even able to come up with such a question.
Bai Zeshan’s research spirit burst forth; he picked up paper and pen to write and draw, constantly revising and negating.
The few sheets of paper were quickly used up, and Bai Zeshan looked at Fang Wen: “General manager, can you give me more paper? I think I have an idea.”
He really could do it!
Fang Wen took out a stack of paper and placed it on the coffee table: “Use as much as you need. If you give the answer, I’ll fulfill your wish to study abroad.”
Bai Zeshan nodded seriously and continued.
To not disturb him, Fang Wen went out to Kuang Mingzhu’s office to wait.
Kuang Mingzhu looked up and saw her husband coming, smiling as she asked: “Real talent or fake talent?”
“Should be real.” Fang Wen replied, and couldn’t help thinking why there was no such person as Bai Zeshan in the future history of Chinese electronic technology development.
He was from Nanjing.
Maybe that was the only reason.
At this time, Kuang Mingzhu raised another question.
“Mister, you’re flying the Boeing 247 to Europe, with varying environments along the way. You need to prepare plenty of water and food, plus emergency supplies and medicine. Also, Zhao Jiu won’t serve passengers; how about sending another flight attendant?”
“That’s necessary. You arrange it. Aren’t you in charge of flight attendants now?” Fang Wen replied.
“Alright, I’ll have Chun Cao go with you.” Kuang Mingzhu said.
“Chun Cao?” Fang Wen instinctively looked up and saw Chun Cao shyly lowering her head.
Chun Cao and Qiu Ju were Kuang Mingzhu’s dowry maids; not many families still had such rules these days.
According to Kuang Family rules, dowry maids were to serve as concubines.
Although Chun Cao and Qiu Ju were both good-looking and capable, Fang Wen still felt a bit unadapted.
He immediately said vaguely: “The trip to Europe is very tough; Chun Cao, as a woman, might find it inconvenient. Better change to a man.”
Saying that, he walked out of the room to his own office to see if Bai Zeshan had finished answering.
After Fang Wen left, Kuang Mingzhu sighed: “My mother was right; men don’t want what’s delivered to their door but like fooling around outside. Chun Cao, don’t worry. Mister is just thin-skinned. When he returns from Europe, I’ll have a way.”
Chun Cao’s face was as red as a ripe apple. “Miss, I’m not worried. Wasn’t this your own suggestion?”
“Just teasing you.”
Kuang Mingzhu laughed; sisters who grew up together could say anything.
Fang Wen pushed open the office door and walked in.
He saw that Bai Zeshan had already stopped writing.
“How is it?”
“I made a design, but I don’t know if it’s right.”
Bai Zeshan handed the paper with the answer to Fang Wen.
Inside was a long passage of text, very solemn, showing Bai Zeshan’s seriousness about this design.
【Today’s question opened a new world for me. It turns out electronic equipment can be used for computation.】
【Imagine a circuit where vacuum tubes each have their role. There are two tubes, named A and B, both used to store non-negative addends. Another tube, named C, to store the addition result. These three are the core of the adder.】
【How to realize this idea, I thought for a long time, and it’s not impossible.】
【As for the input and output mechanisms, they need separate methods. First, store values in tubes A and B somehow. Then, through circuit operation, present the addition result in tube C. This process requires precise control and clever design.】
【Discussion of the problem
To perform basic addition, at least three tubes are needed. Tubes A and B store addends, tube C stores the result.
Now, using tube A storing 5 and B storing 7 as example, discuss the adder design. First, read values from tubes A and B. Then, via vacuum tube logic（perhaps requiring a series of complex connections and switches）, realize the addition operation. Finally, write the result into tube C.
However, the specific implementation of this design cannot be fully described in words alone. Detailed circuit diagrams and electronic engineering knowledge are needed. Here, I only propose a conceptual design, without detailed circuit realization.】
While Fang Wen was looking, Bai Zeshan showed a dejected expression.
“General manager, I can’t do it. Change this airplane ticket to silver dollars.”
At this moment, Fang Wen was greatly surprised in his heart.
Although Bai Zeshan did not propose a real solution, his way of thinking and the ideas he showed were correct.
Wasn’t this the logic circuit thinking of future electronic computers?!
If Bai Zeshan went to Europe for advanced studies and returned, he might be able to realize these technologies ahead of time.
This was an absolutely worthwhile tech talent to invest in; investing in him would not only save him from disaster but also make some changes to the world’s future tech layout.
Fang Wen smiled and extended his hand.
“Congratulations, you answered correctly. This question itself has no definite answer, but your idea is right. I can fulfill your request and give you more funding, as long as you promise me one thing.”
Bai Zeshan was immediately delighted: “General manager, you say.”
“After studying, how about returning to China and joining Taishan Airlines?”
“Okay.” Bai Zeshan agreed without hesitation.
Then, Fang Wen immediately had someone draft a contract for Taishan Airlines to sponsor Bai Zeshan to study electronic technology in Europe.
The contract stipulated that Taishan Airlines would pay round-trip expenses and provide Bai Zeshan with monthly study and living allowances, allowing him to focus on his studies.
At the same time, the contract required that after completion of studies, Bai Zeshan would join Taishan Airlines as a dedicated electrical engineer.
Bai Zeshan had no objection and gladly agreed.
Everything was ready; it was time to depart.
June 20, 6 a.m.
Amid the reporters’ surround, Fang Wen, Zhao Jiu, flight attendant Cheng Dayou, passenger Bai Zeshan, Gu Xingzuo, and Dai Shimiao boarded.
Fang Wen sat in the cockpit waving; after runway staff ahead signaled it was clear for flight, the Boeing 247 accelerated on the runway and flew into the sky.
After takeoff, flight attendant Cheng Dayou began his professional service.
Brewing hot tea for the three passengers and Zhao Jiu.
Then lecturing.
“Hello everyone, this Asia-Europe flight will be the world’s first commercial flight with a range over 10,000 kilometers.”
“According to the plan, we will take off and land at 3 airports each day, average daily range 3500 kilometers, and arrive in Europe in three days.”
Bai Zeshan was reading a book, uninterested in the long journey; he wanted to take the plane precisely to reach Europe quickly for studies.
Zhao Jiu also had no opinion on how the flight path would go; he only trusted the general manager.
The other two passengers, Gu Xingzuo and Dai Shimiao, were different; they bought expensive tickets for a unique experience to boast about eight months later.
Therefore, they valued the flight process more.
After flight attendant Cheng Dayou finished lecturing, they immediately started asking questions.
Fang Wen in the cockpit, through mechanical perception, knew everything inside the aircraft like the back of his hand, and while flying, also paid attention to the situation behind.
In Cheng Dayou’s description, the Boeing 247 would fly completely according to the intercontinental route designed by Taishan Airlines.
This route was.
First day
Depart Shanghai direct to Guangzhou Airport, 1200 kilometers.
Guangzhou takeoff to Kunming, 1100 kilometers.
Kunming to Kolkata, 1500 kilometers.
The first day’s range was the longest, requiring 3800 kilometers flight, about 12 hours.
This was also a test for Fang Wen.
But this flight was currently the most suitable international route for Taishan Airlines, at least until 1937.
For Taishan Airlines’ future international route plans, Fang Wen must fly this leg well; only then would there be a chance to sign international route agreements with countries along the way.
Time passed bit by bit.
Around 9 a.m., the Boeing 247 landed at Guangzhou Dashatou Airport.
Stop time was just for refueling and engine cooling.
About 30 minutes.
While refueling, Taishan Airlines also provided a gourmet journey for this long-haul flight.
Employees from several local Guangzhou restaurants delivered steaming dim sum meals, just the right time for morning tea.
While eating, they also accepted interviews from local Guangzhou newspapers.
All this made Gu Xingzuo and Dai Shimiao feel novel, and they enthusiastically cooperated with photos.
Even Fang Wen was pulled over for a group photo.
Fang Wen chuckled inwardly; the domestic climate was suitable, but after leaving Kunming, they’d suffer, and he wondered what these two would think of this Asia-Europe long-distance flight trip.
