Chapter 182 The Ingenious Siblings Part 2



For months, they spent hours every day researching and studying, examining the intricate mechanisms of clocks and other mechanical devices available around them.

Since it had never been done before, the siblings had to figure out every single detail from key layout, typebars, ribbon, carriage and escapement and shift key.

It was a daunting task, to say the least. They had to experiment with different materials, shapes, and sizes, tinkering with gears and springs, and trying to figure out the optimal arrangement for their typing machine.

Because each of the components had a unique shape, everything single of them need to be ordered and custom-made. Had it not for them being born into a pretty well-off merchant family, the process of procuring parts may take years instead of months.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months as the siblings tirelessly worked on their invention. The challenges and setbacks they faced didn't deter their spirit. In a way, they already expect the process to be a difficult one. 

Finally, today is the day when the siblings planned to put their typing machines together. 

Patrick rushed home after declining his friend's invitation. He entered their family storage room, where Patricia was already waiting, eager to see the results of their hard work.

"Patrick, you're here!" Patricia exclaimed with a smile, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Let's assemble the typing machine and test them out."

Patrick nods. His heart is racing with excitement. Together, they attached the metal bars with carved letters and connected the levers and springs before mounting the carriage that would hold the paper in place. With its hardwood frame, metal typebars, gears, and levers, it was an engineering marvel.

"The machine looks heavy. Don't you think so, Patrick?" Patricia asked.

"Well, this is our first model. We may go overboard in determining the component size. In the future, reducing weight to make it more portable should be our main focus. For now, we should test this first. Let's see if it works well."

Patrick and Patricia eagerly sat down in front of their invention, their heart pounding with nervousness.

Taking a deep breath, Patrick said, "Here goes nothing," He pressed the "A" key on the typewriter. The typebar for the letter "A" moved forward and made contact with the paper, leaving a clean, inked letter "A".

The siblings grinned triumphantly at one another.

"Well, the machine passed the first test. One letter means nothing though." As an older brother, he tried his best to keep his cool demeanour. "Why don't you try writing something, Patricia? I want to hear the feedback from the author."

She took a deep breath before moving her fingers. The air was filled with the sound of the typebars clattering on the paper, the smooth movement of the carriage, and the satisfying "ding" as they reached the end of the line.

Patricia was beaming with joy. She can feel her productivity increase in the future. 

"We did it, Patrick!" She exclaimed.

Patrick beamed with pride. "We really did! Our invention will change the world of writing forever. Before we get ahead of ourselves, we need to apply for a patent first."

"How do we do that?" His little sister asked.

Patrick paused for a moment, taking in his sister's question. "Well, we need to prepare some stuff if we want to apply for a patent. I believe we can have everything needed and can compile them in a short amount of time. However, it is a hassle to deal with the government as students so we should ask Dad when he returned home."

Patricia nodded thoughtfully. "Do you think he'll be proud of us?"

"I'm sure he will. Let's wait for his return."

....

As the afternoon slowly turned into evening, the sun began to set. Its descent cast a warm yet soft glow, bathing the entire Bideford with an orange hue. Patricia impatiently look out the window, gazing at the orange sky that was painted together with a seamless combination of pink, red and purple.

The number of people on the street who passed her house increased as they returned home from work or school. Her eyes scanned each of them, trying to find her father who might be among them. She, however, didn't find him.

As the sky gradually grew darker, the orange glow slowly faded into a deep shade of red. Her visibility naturally decreased as well. As such, she give up and decided to simply wait until her father arrived home.

Patson returned home a bit later than usual that night. At the time when the moon appears and stars become clearly visible in the sky. He had a worried look on his face. It was too noticeable to be ignored. And he obviously didn't intend to hide it in the first place.

Hence, his wife asked with concern. "Dear~ Is everything alright?"

She is carrying their dinner from the kitchen. The aroma of freshly cooked seafood stew took over the dining room in a matter of seconds. It was filled with various types of seafood like mussels, clams, and prawns. A platter of freshly made bread that had just come out of the oven was placed alongside the stew.

Patson sighed heavily as he sat down at the table. He wasn't tempted by the food in front of him. His face filled with worries, "I just received news from my friend that the war broke out in the east. Apparently, Barlia invaded and has successfully captured two towns."

His wife gasps in shock, unable to say anything for a moment. She then mumbled, scarcely raising her voice above a murmur, "The east...I assume that's far away from here. Do we need to be concerned about anything?"

Patson gave a head shake. "No, no, we don't. But, you know, it's just worrying. In those regions, I have friends too. I can simply hope nothing happens to them."

Patson's wife placed her hand on his shoulder, as a silent gesture of support. The two remained silent for a while and the room fell into a sombre mood thanks to the news. 

Patson tries to lighten the mood by assuring his wife. "We'll be fine, my wife. Almost two hundred years ago, Ryntum manage to repel them without no technological advantages. I'm sure this time, victory will belong to us as well."

His wife managed a weak smile, grateful for his words of comfort. "You're right, dear."

Listening intently, Patrick and Patricia exchanged concerned glances. They didn't expect a war to break out. The atmosphere in the house now makes it awkward for them to share the happy news with their parent.

Seemingly noticing his children, Patson turns toward them. "What both of you are standing there for? Come, and take a sit." And weird stuff caught his eyes which make him promptly ask. "What's is that?"

"Dad, this is the typing machine we invented for the past few months." Patrick takes the lead to do the talking while his sister followed closely behind.

"Typing machine?" Patson's eyes spark with interest. The word "machine" seems to be popular these years, especially in this kingdom. 

Noticing their father's curiosity about their invention, Patrick responded enthusiastically. "Yes, Dad. It's a device that allows people to type letters and words onto paper quickly and efficiently. Let me show it to you."

Patrick and Patricia immediately showed their parents their typewriter innovation in an effort to lighten the mood. They slowly teach them how to use the machine.

Patson and his wife looked at the typing machine with awe, impressed by the ingenuity and creativity of their children. He said with admiration, "This is remarkable!! It is safe to say you both have forged your name in the pages of history."

However, Patson raises a valid concern. "Say, how does someone fix a mistake made while typing?"

"Well, I'm glad you asked." Patrick smiled proudly and explained, "We create a correction tape, a thin, white strip with a dry, white-out material that can be applied over the mistake. The error can then be hidden by typing over the correction tape. In the future, we plan to create different options, such as a small eraser or a correction fluid."

Patricia chimed in, "Additionally, we've also designed a backspace key so that users may go back to one space and make corrections or adjustments."

"You guys really thought everything through, huh?" Their father said with a nod of satisfaction. "Have you ever thought of protecting your invention by applying for a patent?"

Patrick looks at his father, "Yes, that's what we want to talk to you tonight. We've compiled all the necessary documentation for applying for a patent such as detailed diagrams, descriptions, and supporting evidence to strengthen our application. Since we're still students, I thought we should have you to help us deal with paperwork."

Patson patted them on the back. "Good, good! You've put a lot of consideration and are taking the importance of patent application seriously. Let's go to the patent office on Monday." 

"But Dad, we have school on Monday." Patrick reminds his father.

"Just skip for a day." Patson shrugged. "It's not a big deal. Your patent application is more important."