They say to make a tool, you must create the tool that will create the tool. This saying applies in most cases here in this world as Alexander introduced new kinds of technology that will make Ruthenia superior in all aspects. In a world where power is everything to survive, Alexander is utilizing his knowledge of his past to get Ruthenia the leverage when it comes to diplomacy.
Power dictates all, if you have power, you can influence, if you have power, you can make anyone obey you, and with power, you can do whatever you want without anyone controlling you. Even to master the world itself. What is that power? The answer is technological superiority.
And in technological superiority, there is one device that will make Ruthenia invincible and be ahead 50 years of others, computers. Not just the computer, but what makes the computer.
Transistors.
In the Imperial Dynamic System Electronic Division, Alexander was in the dressing room where he was asked to wear a white suit called a bunny suit, more correctly, the cleanroom suit. A full body cover garment that keeps human bacteria, hair, sweat, and dandruff from contaminating the chip-making process.
That's right, the facility they are in right now is a microchips factory. Though it didn't look anything similar to the modern microchips industry, it can still serve its purpose.
After wearing the proper attire, Alexander walked along the platform, following Philip as they toured around the facility. Below him, he can see clunky electromechanical computers whirring softly. To make a tool, you must create the tool that will create the tool. Alexander claimed before that he'll be jumping from vacuum tube computers to transistorized computers, unfortunately for him, vacuum tube computers had a huge role in the chip-making industry in the past.
Fortunately, he doesn't have to rely on vacuum tube computers for most of the manufacturing process involved in microchip making. He has his CNC machines that can do the work he created in his secret lab in the Winter Palace and have it mass-produced to be used in all IDS manufacturing facilities.
Despite that, producing a working microchip that is up to standard is an arduous process that involves hundreds of manufacturing processes. Luckily, Alexander introduced a tech that could help the engineers design a microchip, which he would see later.
Walking for about five minutes in a giant complex facility, Philip showed him the first stages of how microchips are made, the raw material itself, the silicon.
Silicon is a semiconductor, which means its conductivity can be altered by adding impurities, also known as doping. Transistors are an important piece in the microprocessor which is also made of silicon. They are the control units that regulate the voltage of electrons and current that flows in the microchips.
The machinery involved in the process were being operated by the operators who worked as a factory worker, especially in ore refining in their last job. Alexander carefully selected his personnel for this groundbreaking invention. The operator's job here is simple. Melt and cool down the silicon-rich sands to produce a silicon ingot similar to a metal ingot which is then sliced into thin wafers by diamond-coated wire saws, another tool Alexander introduced, which will serve as the base for the microprocessor or chip.
"Your Majesty, if I may ask again, what is the use of these small. . . "chips"? And how does high-quality sand used for making clear glass related to its creation?"
Alexander, whose attention was fixed on the thinly cut fragile wafers being moved by robotic arms, shifted to Philip.
"Do you see that moving robotic arm?" Alexander pointed.
Philip looked and nodded "Yes, what about it."
"Surely you must've known that it doesn't work by magic right? Everything is controlled by electronics such as the microprocessor that is inside that robot right now. Simply put, it's a computer but on a smaller scale. Have you heard of computers or difference engines, right? Those experimental clunky and huge metal box counting machines that use magnets, vacuum tubes, and even gears to calculate large sums?"
"Yes, Your Majesty…I'm aware of their purposes. I believe they are primarily designed for doing calculations as the best human mathematicians can't calculate complex mathematical equations as fast as them," Philip said.
"Well, the microchips are just like that," Alexander said and continued. "But the microchips can do more than calculation…it can perform 60,000 processes simultaneously. They can be used in literally everything, to robotic arms that can perform a single task 24/7 without getting tired, in automobiles where it regulates the internal combustion engine system, in aircraft for avionics, simply everything!" Alexander exclaimed, gesturing excitedly.
"It's rather impressive...even though I couldn't still grasp it," Philip rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Well, not anyone can get it on the first try, after all, microprocessors are something new to this world. You can think of it as something theoretical whose purpose is about yet to be realized by the world," Alexander said.
"Yes...it is indeed theoretical...why don't we proceed to the next area, Your Majesty?" Philip suggested.
Alexander nodded in affirmation, and they resumed walking, following the overhead crane carrying a compartment where the silicon wafer was put by the robotic arms. Those boxes in the ceiling conveyed by the overhead crane are the equivalent of the Front Opening Unified Pod FOUP for short that transport the silicon wafer through a series of fabrication processes such as photolithography, ion implantation, etching, gate formation, metal deposition, dielectric on gate and contact, wafer sort test and singulation, die packaging, and testing.
Most of which are being processed in the next room where Alexander and Philip are headed.
In this room, is where the bunny suits came in. Upon entry, the two were met with a blowing wind that washes unwanted dust and dirt away. It's a crucial step for making microprocessors as they are fabricated in a dust-free environment, they are sensitive to the point that only one impurity atom is allowed for 10 million silicon atoms, meaning no more dust larger than 0.5 micrometers are allowed in around ten liters of all.
This proves to be a challenge for Alexander but by applying strict guidance and high-quality air filtration systems, he was able to build the world's first microchips factory.
Inside the room, tens of workers in a bunny suits walked along the narrow path lined with vacuum tubes and transistorized computers.
Since Alexander was covered from head to toe, the people working in this area won't be able to recognize him.
"This is better than I expected. It's brightly lit and clean…good job, Philip," Alexander praised.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I'm honored by your words," Philip thanked. "I've rarely visited this place much, but the workers are sure quick to adapt,"
"It's one of the qualities I'm looking for in the job," Alexander said as he walked along the pathway. "You should broaden your knowledge not only in television Philip but in electronics such as these as well."
"I will do my best to live up to your standard, Your Majesty," Philip promised.
As they ambled in the maze-like thoroughfare, Alexander finally found what he was looking for.
"I have something to show you. Follow me," Alexander beckoned. He then turned and led the way on the path leading deeper into the maze of the factory.
"What is this?" Philip asked as his eyes scanned a drawer that is as huge as a two king-sized bed. However, that's not a drawer nor a bed but a computer. One person wearing a bunny suit was operating the computer.
Alexander didn't answer immediately instead he placed a hand on the man's shoulder operating the computer.
"Can I use it for a second, I'll just show it to my colleague here," Alexander said, pulling out a VIP ID.
The bunny suit guy gave Alexander a sideways glance with a smile then replied.
"Of course, sir," The bunny suit guy answered while giving up his seat.
"Thanks, it'll only take a minute," Alexander smiled as patted the guy on the shoulder once more and glanced at Philip. "As for your question, take a closer look at the screen."
Philip followed Alexander's orders and took a close look at the screen.
His eyes widened.
"Is that...the blueprint of the microprocessor we are building?"
"Yes, and this man here is responsible for making sure that the microchip we're building is uniform. I call this thing a Sketchpad, it's our first computer-aided design."
