It's hard to imagine a student without a book bag today.
No one really knows when the first book bag was invented. People have been carrying bags filled with their belongings since ancient times. Since that time people have been writing as well. As far as a printing of a book, there is evidence to suggest the first one was made around 1050, in which case the bag or satchel used to transport books may have been referred to as a book bag.
The Book Strap
Before children started carrying book bags to school they used something called a book strap. The book strap consisted of a small wooden slat attached to a leather strap, which looked a lot like a belt. When tightened, the book strap could hold up to five books. To protect their books, which were quite valuable at the time, children would place cloth rags or blankets over top of their books. The book strap was popular during the 1800s, and in some places carried over to the 1900s as well. Prior to this, children did not generally bring their books to and from school.
Schoolchildren and Book Bags
The traditional book bag that children carry today was not popular until after the 1960s, when children began taking their books to and from school carried in a bag. In 1967, Lowepro owner Greg Lowe, created the first internal-frame backpack in his garage. Before that, bags had an external frame, and the contents were not protected from weather, or coming loose and falling out. From then on, backpacks became a popular tool for students, workers and anyone else who wanted to carry lots of things that they could use.
Features
Every day there are companies inventing new forms of the backpack, with different pockets, insulation, straps and fabrics. Especially popular today is finding a bag with straps and a design that won't mess with the contours of your muscles and shoulders. Carrying a backpack loaded with books can take a toll on your body.
Types
There are many types of book bags. Some have two shoulder straps for carrying on the back, and others have one shoulder strap. Books bags come in all shapes, colors and sizes, and with many different pockets as well. You can get a book bag that zips, snaps or fastens. When considering which type of book bag to purchase think about the contents you will put inside, and your own comfort. In most cases it may be best to try the book bag on before purchasing.
Function
The function of a book bag is essentially to carry books from your home to school, work, the library or some other such place. But it has also become popular to use for carrying other things. The book bag is also sometimes called a backpack, a satchel, a briefcase or a haversack.
Tags: their books, book strap, books from, have been, book bags
