Growing up with economic security, allowed Algot to devote himself to his true interests rather than toil for his daily bread like so many other Swedes around the turn of the century. His talent took him to art schools in Stockholm and Denmark. Yet in time, because of his choice to pursue art and inventions, Algot would have to worry about money and endure other difficulties.

At 9:10 a.m. on the cold, hazy morning of November 20, 1903, twenty-three-year-old Algot Sätterström left Stockholm and embarked on his life’s greatest adventure, a trip to the Near East. When Algot boarded the train neither he nor anyone else knew when he would return. Almost a month later, on the morning of December 14 he finally arrived, exhausted and seasick, at the harbor of Alexandria.

For the next year and a half, Algot supported himself in Egypt and Palestine by carrying out artistic commissions. Among other projects he painted murals for several hotels and created company advertisements. Algot had to budget his money carefully, because the cost of living in Egypt, during the early 1900s, was high even by European standards.

Algot returned to Sweden in July 1905. Soon thereafter he was married to Margareta Karlsson, whom he had met prior to leaving Sweden. They moved to a farm outside Enkoping, where Algot continued to paint. He also worked tirelessly at perfecting his inventions. Between 1905 and 1914 Algot was awarded patents for seven inventions. Algot was also recognized by the Swedish government for creating a way to produce tuberculosis-free milk.

Algot never lived long enough to see his inventions become commercially successful, nor watch his four children grow up. In May 1914, Algot had a fatal motorcycle accident at the age of 34.