Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
One of the better things about modern communication is the ability to meet and talk to people from nearly all parts of the globe. I have been in communication with Jacob from Botswana for years now and he has shared some photos of the beautiful backpack he made based on my earlier design. That one … Continue reading Jacob’s Beautiful Leather Backpack
Expanding on Lessons Learned In 2012 I decided to build a wooden packframe. What started out as a Sunday afternoon project led me down many paths, from Iron-Age Europe to 21st Century military designs and it took about a year of stewing around before I actually got around to building something. It was fortuitous for … Continue reading Wooden Packframe – The Final Draft
(from the Paleotool vault) I just had to reblog this fine article from 74 Footwear Design... "Camille Poirier patented the first back pack on Dec. 12, 1882 in Duluth, Minnesota (Patent No. 268,932). Initially called the Pack-Strap the pack is today referred to as the Duluth Pack. The basic design of the Duluth Pack already … Continue reading The Duluth Pack – The First Patented Backpack…
I had a friend shoot a few pictures of the rucksack in action. My only regret is that it could be slightly bigger. But then again, I'd just fill it with more stuff. It should last a lifetime and beyond. Not exactly dressed up here. I'm wearing the old caulking and painting shorts. If I … Continue reading Rucksack
Continuing my search for backpacks and rucksacks throughout history, I keep coming across various types of boxes and baskets strapped to people's backs. While querying the web today for variations of the Asian pack box, I saw this nifty solution. Cheap, easy to construct and extremely functional. I can imagine this as an excellent platform … Continue reading Pack Box
Field testing the nearly finished rucksack. It still needs a few closures and bits but is essentially as finished as anything I make. It's poorly packed for a quick hike and not very full. More pictures to follow when I get some time off to tramp around with it. Features: Heavy, waxed canvas truck tarp … Continue reading Field Testing
I just have to reblog this!
Camille Poirier patented the first back pack on Dec. 12, 1882 in Duluth, Minnesota (Patent No. 268,932). Initially called the Pack-Strap the pack is today referred to as the Duluth Pack.
The basic design of the Duluth Pack already existed in the blanket bag, or knapsack and had been in use for at least 100 years by the British Army prior to the patent, especially during the American Revolution. But Camille Poirier added a few improvements including a sternum strap, tumpline and an umbrella strap to hold an umbrella, or sunshade above the users head while hiking.
With a budding wilderness recreation movement in the USA, the Duluth Pack designed for ease of use went onto arguably become the first world’s first recreational backpack.
Incredibly today and over 130 years since its patent, the Duluth Pack is still is available and being made in Duluth, Minnesota, USA.
Which new products…
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Preindustrial Craftsmanship 