ericsson

ericsson — biographical name

1. John Ericsson (1803–1889) was a Swedish engineer who moved to the United States

1.biographical name
Definition

John Ericsson (1803–1889) was a Swedish engineer who moved to the United States and became famous for designing the first armoured ship with a rotating gun turret — the USS Monitor — which played a key role in the American Civil War. He also invented the screw propeller for ships and several railway steam engines.

Example

The USS Monitor, designed by John Ericsson, changed naval warfare forever with its revolving turret.

name + USS Monitor + revolving turret — key invention

Ericsson improved the screw propeller that is still used on many ships today.

Common collocations
  • designed by Ericsson
  • Ericsson invented
  • Ericsson's design
  • Ericsson's ship
  • the Ericsson propeller

Usage Note

Frequently referred to by full name (John Ericsson) in formal historical writing; the surname alone (Ericsson) is common in engineering and Civil War contexts. The name is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈɛrɪksən/.

Common Mistakes

Ericsson invented the telephone.
Ericsson designed the USS Monitor and invented the screw propeller.
He is not the inventor of the telephone; Alexander Graham Bell is.

Etymology

Old NorseSwedishEnglish

Ericsson is a Swedish patronymic surname meaning 'son of Erik'. John Ericsson was born in Långbanshyttan, Sweden, in 1803. He later became a naturalised US citizen. His name in Swedish is pronounced with a hard 'k' sound: /eːrɪksɔn/.