A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

Not allowed to go to the battlefield? That won't do!

Young soldiers crave glory, and middle-aged staff officers are no exception.

The application to build a factory was written in tens of thousands of words. Everyone in the military region was amazed when they read it. The report not only explained the importance of building the factory from the perspective of military logistics, but also described the benefits of building the factory to boost the local economy. If there were a report competition, it would definitely win first prize just based on the point of "dual military and civilian use".

However, the staff officer shouldn't have added unnecessary details by making a request in the report.

"To ensure the future development of the plant and the reliability of maintenance, we strongly recommend that the steel rolling mill send relevant product designers to the border region for guidance!"

"That's a great suggestion. Just don't mention it again next time..." The report was submitted quickly. After being approved by "General Buddha Light," it appeared on Hong Dage's desk in less than twenty minutes.

Speechless, Hong Dage crossed out the requirement at the end of the report: "After making a new copy of the report, forward it to the Ministry of Machine Building."

Then he asked about other things: "So, is there any difficulty in using this system?"

"Report! Several problems have been found in the network transmission system, but none of them are caused by the system itself!"

"Oh? Tell me!"

"In general, it took a lot of time to transfer the handwritten manuscript to the computer, and we weren't very familiar with the keyboard... Also, the computer screen was a bit small, making copying inconvenient!"

As he spoke, the confidential staff officer rubbed his eyes, "Staring at it for too long really makes my eyes blurry..."

“But! Commander! Just this one article, if we use our encrypted telegram system, it would take at least four hours to fully translate from transmission to translation, but this system…”

"This is so convenient!"

"Sir! I suggest that we increase investment in this area. In the long run, this will be very beneficial in terms of issuing instructions!"

After saying that, the confidential staff officer smiled ingratiatingly and clasped his hands together: "Sir, could you provide two more? This thing is so useful, at least enough for several major military regions..."

"Alright, stop repeating the same old tune. Everyone knows it's a good product, it's just that production capacity can't keep up..."

"I might not be able to solve the quantity problem for you, but I can give you some ideas regarding quality and application..."

Hong Dage recalled a report from the Academy of Sciences, rubbed his chin, and beckoned to the confidential staff officer: "Hey, go squat outside the electronics factory under the Academy of Sciences, and when you see that kid with the ahoge (cowlick) come out, go up to him and play the victim, and say..."

The confidential staff officer was quick-witted; he immediately pulled out a pair of glasses and put them on: "Just say that the screen that needs to be tapped to work has broken all our soldiers' glasses, making it impossible for them to hit the target during target practice."

"A soldier who misses the target every time he shoots is not a good soldier!"

"Hey, you're well-prepared! That's what I'll say!"

"Sir, it's not that I was well prepared, my eyes are really bad... I actually got a zero in the target practice test the other day!" said Confidential Staff Officer Bu Xixi.

Well, there's no way around it; a 14-inch monochrome monitor is really not good for the eyes, especially with the unpredictable nature of today's CRT monitors, which makes them both loved and hated...

The only thing to be happy about is that the cathode ray tube has now been completely domestically produced.

Because of the vigorous flapping of a butterfly's wings, the authorities paid special attention to this high-tech electronic product that could generate huge profits, and even the electronics factories around Beijing benefited greatly.

Right now, our butterfly wings are in an electronics factory, eagerly eyeing the metal casing on the table.

"Senior Brother Yungui, do you mean you've already finished making the printer?"

"Hehehe, come and try it!"

"Huh...isn't this a bit unnecessary? Given your meticulous approach, this machine has probably been tested many times already, right? Why do you insist on having me come over?"

Little Dai Mao looked a bit depressed with dark circles under his eyes. Last night, Old Wang must have been provoked by something, insisting on "hanging his head from the beam and pricking his thigh with an awl," which made him read books all night as well.

Seeing the printer from my memory appear before me now, I feel no excitement whatsoever.

"That won't do. You were the one who came up with the idea for this project, and you also drew the blueprints. You should be the one to turn on the printer for its first official use!"

Uh, is that a saying?

Jiang Xia felt that apart from drawing the blueprints and using the factory's machining center to make the mechanical structure of the printer, he didn't seem to be involved in this project much.

Making it so formal makes me feel unworthy of it.

It's important to understand that the key to anything related to programmable control lies in the relevant operating programs and integrated circuits.

Hmm? Integrated circuits!

"Senior! This printer uses integrated circuits?"

The senior disciple from Yunnan and Guizhou smiled smugly.

"No wonder, the finished product is much smaller than I expected... So, can integrated circuits replace some transistors?" When this was mentioned, Senior Brother Yungui became excited again.

"Alas... the road is long and arduous, but I will persevere in my search..."

Before he could finish speaking, Teacher Peishu slapped him with a large potsticker.

"You're getting cocky now that I'm calling you fat! Did you even work on integrated circuits? And you're so smug about it. And you too!" Teacher Pei pointed at the little guy with the ahoge, "Hurry up and get going! A ton of things are waiting for you!"

Jiang Xia's slight distress vanished instantly, intimidated by this decisive and capable woman.

Behind this metal box, find a switch that looks like a metal lever.

"Snap!" An indicator light on the top of the machine lit up, a bright red one that looked quite nice.

Hey, that's the sound! It has such a strong industrial vibe, it sounds amazing!

The light came on, and the printer head moved back and forth along the guide rod, accompanied by the whirring of the stepper motor. It was much like a printer from later generations. The only difference was that the ribbon delivery mechanism was a bit delayed; the print head had completed one revolution before the ribbon had moved forward a short distance.

"Huh? Senior Brother, this isn't working properly. Didn't you guys notice this during the previous tests?"

"Found it. The previous tests used typewriter ribbons imported from the Bald Eagle, but they've run out. Now we're using small notebooks, the size is different..."

Oh, I see. But it's a minor issue; we just need to change the gear ratio. However, the ribbon problem still served as a reminder to Jiang Xia.

This thing is now imported! And it's a consumable item!

In later generations, regardless of whether it's laser or inkjet printers, consumables are where the real profits lie! A printer that a merchant might sell you for around 800 yuan in a day, but once the included toner cartridge runs out, you'll experience the terrifying power of this monopolistic business...

Fortunately, the French provided the processing technology for PVC, the substrate for ribbons. Hehehe, that's great, I must remember that. A good rabbit is one that works hard to make money!

There's not much else to say; the printing function works perfectly!

It's worth mentioning that dot matrix printers can print on wax paper!

Wax paper—readers from the 1980s should be familiar with it, since your exam papers were printed using this on mimeograph machines back then. You know, the kind of exam paper that leaves your hands completely black after you finish writing on it?

Wax cutting was a basic skill for teachers in those days, but it was also the most eye-straining task. Countless teachers wore out their eyes under dim lights.

Now, ho ho ho ho, all you little brats running around in the streets, get ready to face the baptism of exam papers!

You're welcome!

This is a benefit that Uncle Jiang brought to you!