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

He started the backpack company in 1967, while still in college, and went on to revolutionize the way students carry books.

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

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.

Murray McCory, co-founder of JanSport credited with developing many of the brand’s iconic products, passed away in Seattle, ...

Take the school backpack, for example. Its invention can be traced to one man, Murray McCory, who died last month. McCory founded JanSport in 1967 with his future wife (Jan, the company’s namesake).

Murray McCory, JanSport co-founder and modern day backpack creator, has died at 80. McCory founded JanSport in 1967 with his then-future wife and later developed a way to make smaller, softer ...