pack frame – Preindustrial Craftsmanship

And an interesting basket.

Pack frames are nearly universal historically as most cultures encounter the drudgery of carrying heavy loads over long distances. I am always searching for historic images to delve into to look for inspiration. Here is a nifty pack frame from the early 20th century of a charcoal maker from Japan. The frame looks like simple through-tenons in a rectangle. The pack basket appears to be fairly simple twined straw and I think the shoulder straps are woven fiber. He is also sporting some nifty looking waraji sandals.

This is what I could find out about the image:

RUSTIC OLD JAPAN — The Charcoal Carrier
From a Sample Set of Classic Meiji and Taisho-era Japan Stereoview images by Japanese Photographer T. ENAMI (1859-1929).

Photo by T. Enami, ca.1898-1905. View number S-392 from Enami’s 3-D Catalog.

See www.t-enami.org

I hope its not TOO lame reblogging other people’s posts but this is just too ON TARGET. Check out his blogs.

74 FOOTWEAR DESIGN CONSULTING

Learning from the past is important and I sometimes think about this from a design perspective. Can we learn from old traditional designs, or techniques and apply them to modern design? Is all primitive design and technology inferior?

I believe that at the very least learning about old ways can provide us with food for thought, a comparison to our new directions and if necessary can inform any necessary adjustments to our course and design thinking.

External frame backpacks are interesting not only of their more versatile modularity, but also because the structural component of the pack is clearly visible and offers a great opportunity to any designer wanting to explore structural innovation. Designing compelling structural elements from diverse materials such as wood, aluminium, or even carbon fiber is something I think most designers live to do.

Every designer and their creativity draws from all forms of knowledge and inspiration…

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