National School Backpack Awareness Day Timeline

2001

The first National Backpack Awareness Day​

The American Occupational Therapy Association launched the country's first ever event dedicated to backpacks and safety.

​1968

Lightweight nylon backpacks introduced

​This expanded the use of backpacks to students across the country. This is also the year JanSport, the world's largest backpack maker, went into business.

​1938

​Gerry Outdoors invents the modern backpack

It's mainly used as a tool for outdoor recreation — for hiking, fishing and camping trips.