Known affectionately as the "trapper nelson", Lloyd F. Nelson's 1924 patent helped enable outdoors enthusiasts everywhere to hike in comfort. Nelson's principal innovation was the wooden frame which supported the wearer's back and pack all in relative comfort.
Born in 1894, Nelson was an avid outdoorsman before the advent of hiking as a hobby. While adventuring in the Alaskan wilderness, Nelson was introduced to an Inuit pack that consisted of willow reeds and sealskin.
With his Alaskan experience in mind, Nelson designed a new style of backpack built around a wooden frame. Existing backpacks were little more than sacks and were uncomfortable to carry long distances. His reinforced backpack provided back padding and comfortable shoulder straps in addition to a detachable bag to facilitate washing.
Nelson involved local nature-loving attorney Richard J. Cook in the patenting of his invention and he hired the initial production workers from his local community. Like many patents or inventions, there was nothing truly novel about Nelson’s design. Instead, it was the combination of a number of different elements in a manner that was efficient to produce that helped propel it to success.
Initially the bag sold moderately well as it was targeted at a small-segment of 1920s nature professionals, like park rangers or firefighters.
It’s true commercial success only came later once it became a staple of the Boy Scouts of America and other outdoors societies. Nelson eventually sold his business to Trager Manufacturing, Co. before dying in 1986.
Today, you can find instructions online to build your own authentic trapper nelson. You can also purchase any other framed bag, as it owes its existence to Lloyd F. Nelson.
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