The Electronic Computer

February 1926

A computing device using 3,200 vacuum tubes was completed.

The logic circuits were designed to match the capabilities of Intel's 4-bit 4004 CPU. For memory, the device used DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory) with capacitors and SRAM (Static Random-Access Memory) implemented with vacuum tube-based flip-flop circuits.

Though input was done via punch cards, the implementation of DRAM made it a programmable, general-purpose computing device.

"Master! It's done! The world's first practical electronic computer! I've named it 'Maitreya-kun Mark I'!"

Lieutenant Kai Chuichi reported excitedly to Takashiro Soryu.

Kai had graduated from Imperial University a year after Soryu and joined the Space Force. Along with Kai, other talented members of the Seiunkai (Blue Cloud Society), a group Soryu had formed at the university, also joined. Together with Captain Morikawa and others, they had worked on developing the electronic computer.

"This is the program to calculate the future position of enemy ships!"

What Kai showed was a punch card tape 15 cm wide and 10 meters long. He loaded it into the reader of the Maitreya-kun Mark I.

"And this is the data for the enemy ship's speed, direction, distance, and so on."

After inputting the data via punch cards, he pressed the "Execute" button. Instantly, the results appeared on a massive 640×480 dot display made of light bulbs.

The display didn't show numbers or letters—it used binary, with lit bulbs representing 1 and unlit bulbs representing 0.

While input was currently done via punch cards, an interface to receive data directly from various sensors was also under development.

"Amazing, Lieutenant Kai! We're also making progress on junction transistors. If we can integrate transistors into this computing circuit, it'll shrink to the size of a chest of drawers. Then, it'll be easy to install on ships, and we'll have a 100% accurate naval gun system! You're the world's greatest mathematician!"

Soryu was skilled at flattering people.

"Thank you, Master! Next, I'll develop an 8-bit computing device and a program to predict the future position of aircraft! Since aircraft move in three dimensions, it'll be more challenging, but I'll make it happen!"

"I'm counting on you! But why 'Maitreya-kun'?"

"Yes! Maitreya Bodhisattva is the Buddha of wisdom. I named it after him!"

"Huh? Isn't Manjushri Bodhisattva the one associated with wisdom?"

"What?"

"I'm pretty sure it's Manjushri…"

Kai wasn't well-versed in general knowledge.

Experiments were also underway to store programs on magnetic tape, and various sensors were being developed.

"It took five years since we started serious development, but we've finally reached this point. We need to build up our military strength by the time World War II breaks out in 1939, so the timeline is tight."

Every year, graduates from industrial schools and universities joined the Space Force, but the development system was still far from sufficient. Extreme caution was taken to prevent technological leaks, especially regarding computer technology. If even a hint of this technology leaked, the U.S., with its vastly superior development capabilities, could achieve practical applications faster than in the original timeline. This could lead to earlier development of nuclear weapons, making the war even more devastating.

May 1926

"We've made progress on mass-producing silicon wafers."

Captain Yonekura reported.

At the laboratory level, they had succeeded in creating eleven-nines (99.999999999%) pure silicon crystals and completed junction transistors. However, this only allowed for the production of a few dozen transistors per month. To produce enough computers, mass production of high-purity silicon was essential.

Manufacturing equipment and ultra-high-purity chemicals like hydrofluoric acid were also needed. Despite their knowledge, the Space Force's development system couldn't achieve this overnight.

Next, they would work on technologies like photomasking, etching, and vapor deposition. Once these were established, they could mass-produce integrated circuits. Even an 8-bit CPU would suffice. They aimed to achieve this within a few years.

These technologies were also crucial for manufacturing liquid crystal displays.

"I hope to achieve mass production of bipolar transistors by the end of the year. That way, we can at least make a computer the size of a chest of drawers."

Development of an operating system capable of text and graphic display was also underway. Achieving the level of 2032-era operating systems was impossible, so the goal was something akin to MS-DOS from the 1980s.

Once an 8-bit computing circuit was completed, computers comparable to the MSX or PC-8800 series from the 1980s could be realized. This would accelerate various developments.

The development of CRT displays was also progressing. A prototype 17-inch, 640×480 monochrome CRT would soon be completed.

At the same time, efforts were made to improve the precision of lathes and milling machines. Basic NC (Numerical Control) lathes and milling machines using punch card input were also nearing practical application. These technologies were essential for mass-producing industrial products.

"Once the 8-bit computer is ready, there's a program I want to run. You'll enjoy it too, Liriel."

"What program?"

"Heiankyo Alien."

A Room in the Army Ministry

"What on earth is the Space Force doing? They're developing agricultural machinery, fire pumps, and motorized bicycles. And those who call themselves officers don't even do drills, do they? In a war, they'd be nothing but dead weight."

"Now, now. The simple trucks the Space Force made have been quite useful, haven't they? I hear they're close to completing a dedicated truck engine. Thanks to that, we've significantly reduced our reliance on horses and carriages. The field units are very pleased."

"So what? That's all they've done. His Highness the Regent is also completely focused on the Space Force and seems to oppose every Army policy. He's even hesitant to increase our budget. In this situation, who knows what will happen to our interests in mainland China?"

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A/N: Thank you for reading Chapter 46!

The electronic computer is finally here!

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