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).

In the late 1960s, Murray and his girlfriend Jan Lewis founded JanSport (see what they did there?), a local manufacturer of recreation equipment such as backpacks, tents and sleeping bags.

Murray McCory, a free-spirited outdoorsman who co-founded the rugged gear and pack company JanSport, designed a widely imitated dome tent, and created a durable but lightweight backpack that ...

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.

The Eastsport Theo Top Loader Backpack is only $10 at the moment ... then grab this one while it's only $10 on clearance. You won't bag a better deal. Adam Reeder is a freelance commerce writer ...

Murray McCory, who founded JanSport while a student at UW and whose lightweight backpack, revolutionized school life for millions of students, died Oct. 7 in Seattle.

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 ...

Learn more As a high school teacher, I've seen school backpacks in all states of disrepair, so I know how important it is to find a bag that is durable enough to be used day in and day out.

By Clay Risen Murray McCory, who founded the outdoor equipment company JanSport while still in college and whose signature innovation, a lightweight backpack, revolutionized school life for ...