Seattle-based entrepreneur and inventor of the modern backpack, Murray McCory, died last month at the age of 80.

Take the school backpack, for example. Its invention can be traced to one man, Murray McCory, who died last month. McCory ...

After the death of Murray McCory, a founder of the outdoors equipment company JanSport, readers recalled how their backpacks served them on life’s journeys.

He brought lightweight packs to millions of students and transformed the way they carried their textbooks to school.

JanSport Main Campus backpack: $55 @ Amazon Score a top laptop ... from The North Face combines a minimalistic design with old-school outdoorsy details for a stylish and functional bag.

But JanSport became better known for its school backpacks than its alpine gear. The company was widely credited with helping bring an end to an era when students would lug their books around in a ...