19th-century Whit
Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:37 pm
I suppose this isn't strictly related to true 'AIO', but it's probably good fan fiction material, and I think it's an interesting concept. What if the AIO world was set 80 years further back in the past?
In this setting, John Avery Whittaker would have been born in the 1840s. As a young man, he would have served in the Union Navy in the Civil War, in between completing his education. After having adventures around the world and building an encyclopedia company, he would eventually settle down in the town of Odyssey and found Whit's End.
Whit's End would be a converted early-1800s building that used to be the mayoral mansion, built in the Federal architectural style. It would be a soda shop (in this respect, Mr. Whittaker would be similar to other Civil War veterans who sold soft drinks in the years after the war). As an early pioneer in radio, photography, and mechanical computers, among other interests, he would have numerous impressive inventions, including the instant oven (which can cook food in mere minutes), the Environment Enhancer (an audio-visual assisted storytelling device), and the Consequence Engine (which could allow users to choose and see possible outcomes, in an audiovisual 'choose-your-own-adventure' type story, drawing from phonographic, film and early computing technologies). Whit's End would also feature electric lights and other cutting-edge technologies. Whit might have even invented a flying machine.
The show would begin in 1908. One major story arc could focus on WW1, and many of the boys who grew up around Whit's End going to participate in it, from roughly albums 41-43. (I'm not sure how you would account for Dr. Blackgaard in this reality, though.)
I'd be interested in hearing any thoughts you might have about this imaginary Odyssey.
In this setting, John Avery Whittaker would have been born in the 1840s. As a young man, he would have served in the Union Navy in the Civil War, in between completing his education. After having adventures around the world and building an encyclopedia company, he would eventually settle down in the town of Odyssey and found Whit's End.
Whit's End would be a converted early-1800s building that used to be the mayoral mansion, built in the Federal architectural style. It would be a soda shop (in this respect, Mr. Whittaker would be similar to other Civil War veterans who sold soft drinks in the years after the war). As an early pioneer in radio, photography, and mechanical computers, among other interests, he would have numerous impressive inventions, including the instant oven (which can cook food in mere minutes), the Environment Enhancer (an audio-visual assisted storytelling device), and the Consequence Engine (which could allow users to choose and see possible outcomes, in an audiovisual 'choose-your-own-adventure' type story, drawing from phonographic, film and early computing technologies). Whit's End would also feature electric lights and other cutting-edge technologies. Whit might have even invented a flying machine.
The show would begin in 1908. One major story arc could focus on WW1, and many of the boys who grew up around Whit's End going to participate in it, from roughly albums 41-43. (I'm not sure how you would account for Dr. Blackgaard in this reality, though.)
I'd be interested in hearing any thoughts you might have about this imaginary Odyssey.