A fellow boater sent me this link after reading a post I had made on Paddling.Net. I developed my outdoor interests in the 60s, and saw many of the "famous" names in backpacking arise, and sometimes fail.
What I find interesting is that most all of the manufacturers started out in basements or backrooms. Basically, cottage industries. A great many were swallowed up by conglomerates, some had family problems and folded, and some just disappeared. Some are still around, such as TNF and SD and Jan Sport. Some didn't fit in the corporate/conglomerate world and were divested.
All in all, fascinating reading for someone like myself who loves outdoor history.
Anyone remember Gerry Equipment? Holubar? Early Winters?
Jim
http://www.oregonphotos.com/Backpack...volution1.html
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