Hammock Gear Time Line Project

**gunner76** · 05-03-2012, 20:20

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...jQk0ydEE#gid=0

On another thread ( http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=51981 ) there was a discussion about the history of UQs. While reading thru the posts I thought that a time line on when various hammock gear was introduced would be very interesting. Of course by that time Brandon of Warbonnet had beat me to the punch by posting said comment.

I went ahead and collected some info and started a Google Spread sheet and contacted a Dutch and Brandon to get things going about providing some dates on their gear and both said they would get some dates.

The spread sheet is open for anyone to add data and I would incourage the various cottage and major players to add their products introductions and dates.

**titanium_hiker** · 05-03-2012, 23:02

I've had a go... trawling through the DIY forum from first thread onwards...

Also playing with webarchive.org's wayback machine to check out various vendor's websites.

And not doing my assignments for school!

**titanium_hiker** · 05-03-2012, 23:23

Here's some highlights:

2002: The year camping in a hammock really started to take off.
Ed Speer publishes "Hammock Camping" book
Hammocks get their own sub forum on WhiteBlaze (Appalachian Trail website)

2003: Snake Skins introduced, lots of cold weather testing, Speer Pea Pods, the Garlington Insulator

2004: JRB underquilts introduced

2006: HammockForums.net founded
Whipping instead of knot tying experimented with (note how nowadays it's channel ends that are popular)

2007: The year of new hammocks. Bridge Hammock revolutionizes the flat lay, Warbonnet also shows off new hammock, the BlackBird, at TrailDays.

2009: UCRs and Whoopie Slings. Ring buckles, webbing had been big- now a lot of people go for Whoopies+Toggle+Hugger for adjustability with low weight penalty. 2009 the first experimenters began experimenting!

Does someone want to go and add the first of the major hangs- like MAHHA, etc?

**mugs** · 05-04-2012, 12:18

What about when the influx of cottage manufacturers really started taking off. I.E. HMG,AHE,UGQ,WL,Enlighted,Leighlo and others. I am sure that could be included in the timeline as well.

This probably can be corolated between the rise of hammock forum membership.

So in otherwords, find when HF "reaches" highest membership VS hammock specific manufacturers.

To me it seems like someone new pops on the scene everyday. Now whether they stay around or not is another thing. Also take note that older ground dweller U.L. companies are starting to manufacture things for hammockers as well. Gossamer gear, Zpacks,Mountain Laurel, etc.

Just my .02

**gunner76** · 05-04-2012, 19:19

What about when the influx of cottage manufacturers really started taking off. I.E. HMG,AHE,UGQ,WL,Enlighted,Leighlo and others. I am sure that could be included in the timeline as well.

That's the idea. Any hammock related vendor ect can add to the Time Line.

Dutch and Brandon have provided input. This project is just getting started.

**titanium_hiker** · 05-04-2012, 19:31

Go for it Mugs! anyone can edit the document.

(the tricky part is finding the right date- Warbonnet case in point- website up but not active in 2009, up in 2010- but his hammocks are talked about in 2008, and finally I found a forum post about trail days in 07 which talks about Brandon being there with his new hammock- news of which is over shadowed a bit by the long awaited and rumoured bridge hammock. .)

TH

**gunner76** · 05-04-2012, 19:35

No time line is ever perfect. But it is interesting to see the stuff being added.

Thanks to those who have contributed so far.

**titanium_hiker** · 05-04-2012, 19:59

The data I'm adding is directly influenced by my own hammocking journey and interests as I read the forum. So I don't know much about Clarks, for example.

I'm thinking we might have to get dejoha to make a cool image with a solid single line with the different vendors/innovations coming off the main line to make their own time lines. (Clark, Hennessy, JRB, etc.)

**gunner76** · 05-06-2012, 01:22

I'm thinking we might have to get dejoha to make a cool image with a solid single line with the different vendors/innovations coming off the main line to make their own time lines. (Clark, Hennessy, JRB, etc.)

Great idea. Don't know if he does his own graphics but I know I like them.

Added some more stuff on the ancient history (stuff from the 60's and older) side of hammocks.