Our Backpack

Our Weekend Bag

Well, we all use backpacks. They are convenient and they definitely have more space than a standard handbag. However, surprisingly not many of us are aware of the history of backpacks. When were they invented? Who came up with the idea? How were they invented? Answers to all these questions are quite interesting. You’d be surprised to know the history of backpacks!

Let’s start…

Origins…

Backpacks are also widely known as rucksacks, knapsacks, packs and packsacks. To define it, one can simply say that it’s a bag to be carried on the back with straps (usually two) that either go over the shoulders or across. However, if we get into the details, we get to know that there are several types of backpacks and what we today know as backpacks were once known as simple sacks for shoulders.

Today, we use backpacks or rucksacks for a variety of purposes; hiking, laptop carrying, travelling and the like. But, in the olden days, backpacks were only used by hunters to carry their equipment and preys. In case the hunter didn’t have space to accommodate a large prey, he would cut it into pieces and distribute it among other hunters. Each hunter would then wrap the meat and carry it in the backpacks. Back in those days backpacks were made of animal skin. There were different types available depending on the types of animal available in a particular area. They were sewn together by intestines of animals that were woven together to form a strong thread like material.

The Term ‘Backpack’…

First off, you must know that the term backpack itself was coined in 1910s in the United States. Before this term was born, other terms such as moneybag and packsack were used to refer to such bags. The other famous word ‘rucksack’ is a German one and is usually used in the USA Army and in the UK. It’s a loanword that literally means ‘der Rucken’ in Germany referring to ‘the human back’.

Backpacks are also simply known as packs. But, since calling them simply ‘packs’ makes it unclear, it’s best to refer to them as ‘backpacks’. Also, people usually mix up bodypacks with backpacks. It should be clearly understood that bodypacks are the ones with pockets and load falling on the front (chest area) and on the back of a person. Whereas backpacks are the ones that only carry the load on the back with no pockets at the front.

Evolution of Backpacks…

We have come a long way from being hunters and barbarians to being civilized human beings. So, things have evolved over the centuries. Similarly, backpacks have become more elite, feature filled and useful. They are no longer used for hunting but their main purpose remains the same; to carry load. It’s interesting to know that back in 50s backpacks weren’t as good and comfortable as they are today. Dick Kelty was the person who came up with the idea of designing lightweight, sturdy and compact backpacks. This one idea of his changed the whole game and the modern backpacks came into existence.

The Story of Invention…

Kelty was an avid hiker. He used to hike the countryside of the Sierras. Of course, it was difficult for him to carry his hiking gear with the old ways or carrying weight and so he wanted to develop something that’s more efficient and capable. So, he started experimenting. Back in those days people used to rely on military surplus stores. The problem was that the gear found at military surplus stores was generally pretty heavy and quite coarsely designed.

In 1951, while hiking, Dick Kelty along with his pal Clay Sherman decided to put the load of the equipment from their shoulders to their hips. In order to do this, they had to skid the ends of their pack boards into the rear pockets of their jeans. This was when both of them realized that this is a much easier and comfortable way of carrying load. Kelty was impressed with this idea and he kept working on it to make things better.

Kelty then came up with the idea of adding a hip belt to the standard wooden frame and worked on it further. This was when Kelty thought of changing the wooden pack design to a more lightweight design by using lighter materials such as aluminum and by changing the rucksacks to nylon. Kelty’s wife came into the game and sewed the rucksacks to fit the frames. This was the start of a revolutionary home based business of backpacks. By 1952, Kelty was able to sell 29 backpacks for $24. But, this wasn’t where Kelty stopped. He kept on amending the design. Later on he added shoulder straps, padded waist and exterior zipper pockets to his packs.

The Final Outcome…

During the 70s, outdoor activities such as hiking became quite popular and more and more people were going for it. This was when Kelty’s backpacks became famous since most hikers of the area and the nearby areas started purchasing them. With time, the backpacks became so popular that others started making them too. Hence, things improved with time and wooden packs were transformed into backpacks as we know them today.

Backpacks are widely used today not just for outdoor activities but also for special purposes such as carrying laptops, cameras and the like. The types of backpacks are manifold and it’s quite impossible to practically list all the types of backpacks. However, if we generally classify the types of backpacks found today, we can easily make 4 categories; external frame packs, internal frame packs, bodypacks and frameless packs.

The design that supports the pack and at the same time distributes weight across the body in such a way that most weight is put on the legs and hips is known as a pack frame. Unlike other designs, with this one, the weight is not directly put on the shoulders through straps. This way, the chances of shoulder injuries are reduced. Remember, backpacks that only come with shoulder straps can affect the posture of a person if more than 14 kg weight is carried on it. This is the reason why most backpacks today come with a zipper, buckle mechanism or a dry-bag type closing. Some models also do come with a drawstring fixed with a cord lock for the main compartment.

Internal Frame Backpacks:

Internal frame backpacks were first introduced in 1967 by Greg Lowe. He was the founder of the companies Lowe Alpine and Lowepro. Both of these companies specialize in making carrying bags and backpacks. An internal frame backpack has an inner frame that is covered by a large section of fabric. The inner frame is made of strips of aluminum, plastic or titanium. In other words, the inner frame is quite lightweight. The best part of such a pack is the way the straps are placed. They are attached in such a manner with the inner frame that they distribute the load appropriately and doesn’t let it shift. In addition, such packs fit closely to the wearer’s back in such a way that it minimizes movement and shifting of load. Such backpacks are ideal for activities where a lot of upper body movement is required such as rock climbing, skiing and the like. Moreover, since the inner frame allows more fabric it also allows more space for compartments. Some inner frame packs also come with lash points, webbing loops and straps to hold sleeping bags. The downside of these packs is that since they fit closely, there is less space for ventilation and sweating becomes a problem. Also, since the frame is inside and is lightweight, it is nearly impossible to attach heavy equipment externally with such packs. Initially when they were introduced, these bags were uncomfortable to wear and didn’t allow much space for items. However, with time, these issues were addressed and today are being widely used for various outdoor activities.

External Frame Backpacks:

External frame backpacks were actually designed to carry heavy weight such as weight from 20 kg and above. It gives the wearer more protection and support. Also, an external frame backpack distributes weight across the body points better than the other types. External frame packs have been in use for centuries. Wooden pack frames were the first external backpacks mankind invented. External frame backpacks are usually used in military and mountaineering applications. Metallic external frame packs were introduced in the mid 20^th century.

Today, most external frame packs are made from aluminum or other lightweight metal alloy. Today, even plastic and reinforced synthetic polymers are being used for such packs. These packs have a system of straps and tight netting to avoid the metal frame from hitting the wearer’s back. Not only is this meant for comfort, it also serves the purpose of providing enough ventilation to the user’s back. This is why external backpacks are considered much cooler than their other counterparts.

Another major difference between external frame packs and internal frame packs is that of the fabric portion. External frame packs come with a fabric sack like portion. The frame is exposed from the top and the bottom of the sack so that other items can be attached to the pack externally. Moreover, this sack can completely be removed if there is the need. This way, the user can easily customize his load by carrying his items the way he wants to instead of just putting it in the sack. Do you know most backpacks used by the marines are usually external framed ones because such bags can carry items of various shapes and sizes?

Frameless Backpacks:

Frameless backpacks are probably the most commonly used form of backpacks. These backpacks come in various shapes and sizes and can be used for a number of purposes. These are simply bags with two shoulder straps to carry load. The simplest form of such bags consist of just one pocket while other more complex designs can consist of various compartments for various items. Some elite designs also come with waist straps, additional pockets, padded shoulder straps and padded lower back area. Some models also come with reflective materials on the pack for nighttime safety. These bags have become so common today that they can be easily purchased at cheaper prices. Moreover, at times hikers and other activists and athletes prefer using frameless backpacks rather than the framed ones because of their being lightweight quality.

Packs for Special Purposes:

Apart from the above given categories, there are other types of backpacks as well that we see and use in our daily lives. One common example of such a backpack is the school bag used by kids. It definitely is a mini backpack with simple straps and no frames. On the other hand, we have backpacks like the ones used for laptops and cameras. These are special purpose backpacks with no particular frames or straps. Everything about such bags can be adjusted as per the need.

Browse a variety of Tote Bags and Tote Shopping Bags to get an idea what they look like.

A tote bag falls into the category of handheld bags. It is quite a spacious one that is widely used for carrying manifold items. People carry it to carry books, cosmetics, tools and even beach wear. Practically, there’s no specific use of tote bags. They can be used for anything and everything as long as the bag can hold whatever item is being placed in it. Tote bags come in various colors and sizes. Since they are considered as heavy duty or rugged bags, they are usually made of nylon, canvas and other similar sturdy fabrics.

What are they?

Tote bags are basically open bags. They can be small, large or even medium sized with a handle or a strap attached to the top middle center of each side. Usually, tote bags just have one huge compartment and nothing else. However, some elite and fashionable versions may have more than one compartment with embellishments on it. Tote bags are today even made of leather or parts of it are of all leather to make them look chic.

The most common type of tote bag is the canvas tote bag. They are very sturdy and extremely durable and are usually used for heavy duty purpose such as for shopping, carrying multiple items and the like. Today, the high quality canvas tote bags are treated to resist mold and moisture in order to prolong their life. The reason why canvas tote bags have become so popular is that they are usually cheap in price and durable unlike tote bags made from other materials.

Also, heavy duty nylon tote bags are in great demand today. Since they are easy to maintain and classy looking, more and more people today opt for it in comparison to canvas tote bags. However, nylon tote bags are not good for excessive sun. Tote bags are also today widely used for grocery shopping. For this purpose, cheap tote bags made of recycled items like natural fibers or refine organic material. These bags are usually available at very cheap prices so that users can buy them over and over again whenever they want to instead of using the same bag forever which can get injurious to health if edibles are being carried in it.

Many companies, especially the well established brands, today use tote bags as a promotional tool too. You get complimentary tote bags from companies with their logos on it or a message to spread awareness.

How Did They Came Into Existence?

Tote bags have been used for centuries by mankind. Long before the term was even coined, people used to carry animal skin tote bags. However, they became popular when LL Bean released their first Boa Bag in 1944. It was a standard canvas bag that was designed for boaters. Since this bag was simple yet functional, it rapidly got popular among women. Of course, this was the time when tote bags came into the main scene and since then they have become one of the most common types of bags women take for shopping.

Also, tote bags became extremely popular as purses in the 50s. Since during the 50s women looked out more for practical bags instead of exquisite bags, tote bags became highly popular. Due to this demand of tote bags, the production of simple sturdy big bags grew. Two names are ought to be mentioned here; Bonnie Cashin and Kate Spade. Both of these people helped tote bags to come into the main scene and be part of the designer handbag circle. Bonnie Cashin was a famous Coach designer. She created her own line of Cashin Carry tote bags during the 60s. Kate Spade, during the 90s, transformed the basic tote bag into a complete fashion accessory for women.

Today, there are several types of tote bags available in the market. Women even take them to parties and to work since they are convenient and spacious. They are no longer just practical bags but they are also stylish and elegant today. Many designers today are producing tote bags that are exquisite yet practical. Tote bags are also popular item carriers for picnics and for the beach. Since these bags are sturdy and cheap, they are widely used for such purposes.

Browse a variety of Tote Bags and Tote Shopping Bags to get an idea what they look like.

Handbags are the vogue these days and it has been so for ages now. But, have you ever wondered how this whole phenomenon came into existence? How did people especially women that they need to have separate purses to carry their precious items? Well, nobody exactly knows what clicked that but we sure do have an account of how the modern handbags came into existence. Here’s how it all got started…

Origins…

We can’t for sure say when this phenomenon started. But, by taking some biblical references and some ancient Egyptian pictures into consideration, we can easily say that people have been using leather pouches or cloth pouches for centuries. The Bible draws the picture of Judas Iscariot as a person always carrying a purse with him to hold his coins. So, well, we can say that Judas is the first identified person carrying a purse!

Girdle Pouches in the 14^th and 15^th Centuries…

The term handbag wasn’t coined until the mid 19^th century. In the 14^th and 15^th centuries, the practice of attaching pouches to the waist or to arms was common in both, men and women. Since pockets weren’t really a part of the attires back then, wearers would usually have a couple of such pouches attached to their garments holding their valuables. It must be noted here that in the medieval age, purses weren’t really meant for holding valuables. Instead they were associated to events like marriages and betrothal and were used as fashion accessories. Back in those days purses were known as chaneries. Chaneries were also used for gaming and for holding food for falcons and other pets. One form of purses was highly significant and was mainly used for holding relics. During all this time, the most important form of bag that was created was the Seal Bag. This bag was used by the Keeper of the Great Seal.

Pockets and Swete Bagges in the 16^th and 17^th Centuries…

As we all know, during the era of Elizabeth, skirts of women became longer and heavier. Of course, with such attires there was no way a woman could attach a girdle purse since it could easily get lost. So, instead of attaching purses externally on the dress, women started wearing pouches under the skirts. Men on the other hand started wearing pockets that were known as bagges back then. These pockets were made of leather. Travelers and peasants at times used to wear huge leather bags across the body with straps. On the other hand, there was also something known as ‘swete bags’. These were bags filled with sweet smelling material used by hygiene conscious aristocrats. Some people also stored these ‘swete bags’ with clothes and sheets in order to keep the garments fresh and smelling good.

However, soon everyone became uninterested in carrying around big bags and they shifted to hang long embroidered drawstring purses under their breeches and skirts. Purses started becoming more and more common since they were easier to carry and were better looking. By the end of the 17^th century, purses became an important part of every woman’s attire. They became more sophisticated. By this time, more complex shapes of purses were being produced instead of the single drawstring designs.

The Uprising Against Pockets and Underwears in the 18^th Century…

Heavy and long skirts of the ancient regime became less popular among women after the French Revolution. Women started opting for slender and narrow dresses which were considered more comfortable. However, the downside faced was that these slender dresses had no room for pockets or under-the-skirt purses. So, they became outdated. This was the time when women again started carrying purses in hand. However, many of the elites didn’t really consider this a good practice and women carrying purses were often marked and mocked.

Handbags at a Rise in the 19^th Century…

During the Victorian era, science and industry flourished greatly giving way to new fashions and styles. New and unique fabrics were introduced and things started changing overnight. Purses came into fashion and even though pockets were back in the 1840s, women preferred using handbags.

Later in the time railroads were created. This is was the revolutionary era for bags. In 1843, around 2000 miles of railway lines were built in the Great Britain. More and more people started traveling by train and women became starting going out more often. Luggage makers, those who used to make bags for horse travel, were now making bags for training traveling and this is when the term handbags came into the scene. In fact, it’s surprising to know that most of the popular handbags today were started as luggage makers. A general example would be of the Hermes bags that were founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermes. Thierry Hermes was a saddle and harness maker. Similarly, the all famous Loius Vuitton was a luggage packer for the Parisian rich.

The Egyptomania and the Swinging Pochette in the Early 1990s (1900 – 1920)…

In the early 20^th century, handbags became a fashion accessory. They were no longer considered mere luggage carriers but an essential for every woman. The Dorothy bags were used back then with matching robes, compact leather bags with opera glasses and folding fans attached to them. On the other hand, working women by this time still preferred larger handbags such as leather shopping bags, briefcases or the Boulevard bags.

Furthermore, after the WWI more and more travel opportunities opened up for women. During this time, an important development was seen in the handbag history which was of the pochette. The pochette is a handless clutch embellished with bright geometric. Women used to tuck these under their arms as it became the fad. Later on, with the discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1923, the Egyptomania started which gave birth to purses with exotic motifs.

1930 and Onwards…

Most of the bags we use today were created by the 1930s such as the shoulder bag, the classic handbag, the clutch and the satchel. Most of the bags of the 1930s depicted the Art Deco fashion. The Art Deco fashion is one in which abstract art and new industrial materials were highlighted such as zippers and plastic.

The WWII affected the fashion of millions around the world. The 1930s industrial fashion changed into more of a military fashion. Delicate and artistic bags transformed into larger, square and more rugged bags. People liked the military look. Some liked it because they wanted to show the patriotism for their country while some thought it was cool back then. Wood or plastic frames became more popular compared to leather, mirrors and zippers. The drawstring bags were back in fashion and they were being homemade widely. In the Great Britain, such bags were made to look sleek and match the outfit as well to have enough space to accommodate gas masks. In the USA and France, more and more women were joining the work force and they preferred shoulder bags to handbags.

It was during the 50s when handbags became the cult. Several top notch designers including Hermes, Channel and Vuitton enjoyed an era of diversity and colors in fashion. Moreover, Christian Dior’s newly introduced style in 1947 highlighted skirts and tiny waists. Of course, this was the era of a new feminine look in contrast to the previous tough military look and more and more female went for it. It was an era of beauty and exquisiteness. Small handbags were in fashion and were thought of as being more chic than the larger shoulder bags.

The rise of the youth culture and the women’s movement during the 1960s emphasized more on what we call now ‘casual dressing’. Rules and regulations of appropriate and formal dressing began to fade. The age of informality was on the rise. It was the era when everyone wanted to look youthful and punk and so tiny handbags were in. Also, small shoulder bags with long chains or thin long straps came into the scene.

On the other hand, since the world was becoming smaller, travelers from India and other similar regions brought in the fashion of large satchels and fabric shoulder bags. Afghan coats and bags, embroidery, patchwork and army bags started becoming popular and machine made goods were on a decline. Later on after a decade, individual expression was the hype and psychedelic patterns came into the scene. But things were changing too rapidly at this time. By the end of the 70s, slung shoulder bags were back but with more buckles and zippers to make them look more punk.

By the 1980s, handbags were being widely used. However, the hype of conspicuous consumption took over. The concern of health and fitness sports shoes and bags came into the scene. Even though the produced goods were merely introduced as sports goods, they later became fashion accessories. This was the age of the unisex bags. Miuccia Prada, in 1985, introduced the black nylon backpack as the first ever completely unisex bag ever produced. On the other hand, Vera Bradley’s quilted bags showed up taking the market and the fashion industry by storm. It made sales of more than $1 million in just 3 years making it the most sold bag of that time. 1990s started with a gush of small designer handbags with large alphabets on them such as H, A and the like.

Finally, here we are in the 21^st century with manifold styles and shapes of handbags. Today, not only women but even men love carrying handbags. Handbags have become an important accessory and no one can deny this fact. Waterproof canvas bags, space age synthetics and even reptile skins are used for making handbags. It’s a whole world of fashion itself where designers are busy coming up with newer ideas and shapes and people are looking for better and more exciting thing to carry!