The word backpack originated in the early 1900s in the United States of America. Before that, people commonly referred to them as pack-sacks or knap-sacks.

Backpacks, in a more primitive form, have existed for thousands of years. Early hunters made simple backpacks out of animal hides to carry tools and other necessities. The oldest known example is the backpack of Ötzi the Iceman, which is over 5,000 years old.

The first modern backpack, as we know it today with a fully functional zipper, appeared in 1938.

JanSport, one of the most famous backpack manufacturers, was founded in 1967.

There is also a world record for the heaviest backpack ever carried by a student, weighing approximately 267 pounds.

Luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci produce high-end backpacks that can cost up to $5,000.