The Swedish Government was one of the first in the world of offer promising young workers and students grants for travel and study in other countries. Ericsson received two such grants in 1873 and 1875, both times on Oller's recommendation. They were to prove decisive elements in his career. From the brief report he submitted in December, 1875, following his return to Stockholm, it is possible to discern the outlines of two and a half years of work, study and observation in German and Swiss factories.

Here are some excerpts: "In Berlin my first engagement was at Siemens & Halske's factory, where, in the course of 11 months, by working in different departments, was able to acquire knowledge both of the methods of working and the different telegraph instruments manufacturered there."

"I also worked in Berlin at Lud. Loewe & Co.'s factory, where I was able to learn something of the advantages of the American machine tools."

"Moreover at Kernaull's scrap metal factory, where I also worked, I found much that had hitherto been unknown to me and which was of interest to observe, as was the case at A Ronsack's workshops for mathematical instruments... Moreover I have worked in Munich at the physics institution of Prof. Dr. Ph. Carl and in Berne with the firm of Hasler & Escher, where I was employed on the assembly and adjustment of self-recording thermohygrometers, designed by Prof. Wild. In Neuchatel, Strasburg and Karlsruhe I have either been employed at, or visited, the best known plants."

"Recently I was employed at Schaffer & Buddenberg's factory in Buckau Magdeburg, where my chief work was the assembly and adjustment of indicators, but I was also able to devote attention to the distribution of work, machine tools and equipment for special purposes."

The concluding paragraph is, in one respect at least, highly prophetic.

"To the best of my ability I have tried to carry out my mission faithfully by obtaining an insight into presentday methods of working and into the tools and machines required for this purpose. I now have occasion to make use of the modest knowledge I have acquired in the position I have taken in Oller & Co.'s factory and I trust that the grant I have enjoyed will prove to the anticipated advantage of the country's industry, and I hereby express my humble thanks for the said grant." Few grants of this type have probably paid off so well for the country's industry. Although he had returned to Oller's following his travels abroad, Ericsson was now ready to strike out on his own. This he did less than four months after submitting his report.