Johann Conrad Fischer (1773–1854), pioneer at the time of the Industrial Revolution and founder of GF, travelled far and wide. He covered more than 30'000 kilometres from his journeyman's hike at the age of 19 to his last trip to the World's Fair in London 60 years later. Fischer cultivated a network with scientists, entrepreneurs and personalities throughout Europe.
A keenly observant witness of the times, Fischer reported in several journals on his extensive travels "with a view to technology" between 1794 and 1851. The destination was mostly England, with stops in Scandinavia, Germany, France and Belgium. His experiences, encounters and experiences, as well as his detailed observations and pointed comments on technological, economic, political and social developments, are invaluable for historical research.