Birth of a New Industry

"So, it's a proof of concept that your idea works again," Hollen said unbelievably. "When are you going to make the real thing?"

"The real thing?" Ernest rubbed his chin as he knew what Hollen was referring to. The actual 50 horsepower steam engine that could power factories. "I can task the workers to work on it tomorrow but, I don't think it would help you in the forge business."

"What do you mean?" Hollen tilted his head to the side.

"The workers are going to focus on constructing the actual steam engine, and they have work in your forge. They can't just juggle a project and their work at the same time. And I want the steam engine built as soon as possible to see if it's viable as I have made it to be to power the factories. Which is why, it'll be up to you if it's okay for me to hire the workers that made the prototype steam engine." 

"Ernest," Hollen began. "My venture with your soap manufacturing has outpaced my forge in terms of profits."