Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Bruce Johnson papers, 1958-2023
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Johnson, Bruce, 1958-2019.
- Title
- Bruce Johnson papers
- Dates
- 1958-2023 (inclusive)19582023
- Quantity
- 7 boxes, (5 linear feet)
- Collection Number
- UUS_ORA 014
- Summary
- This collection contains materials related to Frostline Kits and Stephenson's Warmlite dating from 1958 to 2023 that were created and collected by Bruce Johnson, a writer and compiler of outdoor gear history.
- Repository
-
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
With a passion for outdoor recreation and a love for writing, which led him to obtain an English degree, Bruce Johnson enjoys sharing his interests with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Deeply invested in learning the history of outdoor gear, Bruce has written five books in his "History of Gear" series and developed an extensive website (www.historyofgear.com). These accomplishments led him to become widely known within the outdoor recreation community, allowing Bruce to build important connections with prominent members in this field. Jack Stephenson, founder of Stephenson's Warmlite, was one of Bruce's first contacts for a 1994 article in Backpacker. Jack provided incredible first-hand correspondence and original materials related to Stephenson and his company. This connection encouraged Bruce to start writing the history of outdoor gear.
Bruce has done extensive research and written books about the history of Frostline Kits and its founder Dale Johnson, the history of Gerry Cunningham and his company Gerry Mountain Products, as well as the history of Mountain Safety Research and Holubar Mountaineering. Bruce also writes short essays about personal mountain experiences and appears on podcasts in collaboration with Utah State University's Outdoor Product Design and Development program where he shares his knowledge of the history of gear. As a self-taught photographer, Bruce also has a strong interest in photography, publishing his work on his website www.oregonphotos.com.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The bulk of the collection is related to Frostline Kits and Stephenson's Warmlite, with some materials containing information related to Adventure 16, Gregory, Ski Hut, and Summit. The materials in the collection are generally arranged by brand and then arranged chronologically. Both Frostline Kits and Stephenson's Warmlite sections consists of correspondence between Bruce and other persons such as Dale Johnson and Jack Stephenson, papers, personal notes, CD discs of research related to Bruce's books, drafts of portions of the books, article clippings, and photos related to Stephenson's Warmlite. There are also article clippings related to Will Steger and Larry Amkraut. The middle section of the collection consists of materials related to Gregory, Ski Hut, and Summit, which includes two Ski Hut posters, and copies of articles and notes about Wayne Gregory. The remaining section is accrued materials added later, consisting of files organized by company, individual, or type of equipment.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Bruce Johnson papers must be obtained from the Outdoor Recreation Archive Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: Bruce Johnson papers, 1958-2023 (USU_ORA 014, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_ORA 014, USUSCA.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The Bruce Johnson papers are generally arranged by outdoor product brands, starting with Frostline Kits, Stephenson's Warmlite, and a miscellaneous section containing material related to Gregory, Ski Hut, and Summit. Within these themes, the materials are arranged chronologically. The additional files are organized by company, individual, or type of equipment.
Processing Note
Processed in September of 2021, reprocessed in 2023 to add additional materials
Acquisition Information
Bruce Johnson donated this collection to USU Special Collections and Archives in 2021, and additional material in 2023.
Related Materials
Outdoor Recreation Catalogs (ORA 001)
Outdoor Recreation Serials (ORA 002)
Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian outdoor industry collection (ORA 005)
Robert E. Gillis papers (ORA 006)
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Frostline Kits, 1984-2016Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Personal notes and papers related to Bruce Johnson's book |
2006-2016 |
| 1 | 2 | Julia Johnson correspondence |
2007-2013 |
| 1 | 3 | 6 CD discs related to Frostline Kits book |
2007-2011 |
| 1 | 4 | Correspondence related to Frostline Kits book |
2007-2013 |
| 1 | 5 | Dale Johnson's death |
2012-2014 |
| 1 | 6 | Merchandise tags |
undated |
| 1 | 6 | Images of merchandise tags from 1966 to 2006 |
undated |
| 1 | 7 | "Kit-Making" by Meredith Nelson from The Outside Review |
1984 January |
| 1 | 7 | Copies from Frostline Kits's first catalog in 1966 |
undated |
| 1 | 7 | Down sweater sewing instructions |
undated |
| 1 | 7 | Down-fill instructions |
undated |
| 1 | 8 | Mail-order forms |
undated |
Stephenson's Warmlite, 1958-2019Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 9 | Photographs |
1958-1995 |
| 1 | 10 | Article Clippings |
1958-1988 |
| 1 | 11 | Papers related to catalogs |
1959-1991 |
| 1 | 12 | Envelopes addressed to Bruce Johnson |
1976-2017 |
| 1 | 13 | Bruce Johnson's Notes |
1994-2018 |
| 2 | 1 | Correspondence between Bruce Johnson and Jack Stephenson |
1976-2013 |
| 2 | 2 | Correspondence related to Warmlite |
1995-2019 |
| 2 | 3 | Papers related to Warmlite book |
1978-2018 |
| 2 | 4 | 8 CD discs related to Warmlite book |
2012-2015 |
| 2 | 5 | Jack Stephenson's death |
2017 |
Other Materials, 1988-2008Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 2 | 6 | Gregory, Summit, and Adventure 16 |
1988-2008 |
| 2 | 7 | Article clippings related to Larry Amkraut |
undated |
| 2 | 8 | Papers related to Will Steger |
undated |
| 2 | 9 | Sierra Design and Mountain Hardwear bag tags |
undated |
| 2 | 10 | Ski Hut "Ski Fest" poster |
undated |
| 3 | 1 | 2 Ski Hut Posters |
undated |
| 3 | 1 | Large print of Colin Fletcher |
undated |
| 4 | 1 | Papers related to Jack Stephenson's Warmlite |
1976-1994 |
Additional Materials later added to the collection, 1970-2023Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
Documentation based on Companies |
1974-2023 | ||
| Box | Folder | ||
| 4 | 2 | Holubar Documentation #1 |
2010-2023 |
| 4 | 3 | Holubar Documentation #2 |
2009-2018 |
| 4 | 4 | Holubar Documentation #3 |
2008-2016 |
| 4 | 5 | Holubar Documentation: Scanned Documents |
2009-2011 |
| 4 | 6 | The North Face Geodesic Tents |
1988-2013 |
| 5 | 5 | Altra Sewing Kits from Tom Freese |
1975-2008 |
| 5 | 6 | A16 Andy Drollinger, Wayne Gregory |
2007-2022 |
| 5 | 7 | Class 5 |
2006-2014 |
| 5 | 8 | Cordura |
2014 |
| 5 | 9 | Daisy Kingdom |
1975-2011 |
| 5 | 10 | Dana Designs |
2007 |
| 5 | 11 | Downhome, Blue Puma, Moonstone |
1979-2013 |
| 5 | 12 | Eddie Bauer |
2017 |
| 5 | 13 | EMS |
2007-2011 |
| 5 | 14 | Eureka Tents |
2013-2018 |
| 5 | 15 | Feathered Friends |
1988-2015 |
| 5 | 16 | Frostline - Grand Junction Era |
2007-2011 |
| 5 | 17 | Bruce's Saved Frostline Kits |
1974-1978 |
| 5 | 18 | Bruce's Frostline Story |
2016 |
| 5 | 19 | Hine - Snowbridge |
2007-2009 |
| 6 | 1 | Jansport |
1977-2021 |
| 6 | 2 | Kelty |
2006-2016 |
| 6 | 3 | Moonstone |
1994-2014 |
| 6 | 4 | Moss |
2011-2018 |
| 6 | 5 | Mountainsmith |
1979-2013 |
| 6 | 6 | MSR |
2009-2020 |
| 6 | 7 | The North Face |
2007-2008 |
| 6 | 8 | REI |
2006-2015 |
| 6 | 9 | Rivendell |
2006-2015 |
| 6 | 10 | Seattle Quilt |
2015 |
| 6 | 11 | Segen Pax |
2011-2021 |
| 6 | 12 | Shadoworks, Bibler Tents |
1988-1992 |
| 6 | 13 | Sierra Designs |
1997-2015 |
| 6 | 14 | Snowlion |
2008-2014 |
| 6 | 15 | Trailwise |
2006-2016 |
| 6 | 16 | Western Mountaineering |
2012-2016 |
| 6 | 17 | Wiggy's |
2000-2007 |
| 6 | 18 | Yakworks |
2007 |
Documentation based on Individuals |
2006-2020 | ||
| Box | Folder | ||
| 5 | 1 | Bob Howe Tent Maker |
2006-2009 |
| 5 | 2 | Colin Fletcher |
2007-2013 |
| 5 | 3 | Doug Hoschek |
2012-2020 |
| 5 | 4 | George Lamb |
2007 |
Physical Digital Hardware Components |
2005-2023 | ||
| Box | Folder | ||
| 7 | 1 | History of Gear Project External Hard Drive |
2023 |
| 7 | 2 | Holubar CDs #1 |
1950-2011 |
| 7 | 3 | Holubar CDs #2 |
2008-2016 |
| 7 | 4 | History of Gear Catalogs from Alan Wenker CD |
2005 |
Ephemera and Miscellaneous Notes |
1970-2020 | ||
| Box | Folder | ||
| 7 | 5 | Utah Maps (Sold by Holubar Stores) |
1970 |
| 7 | 6 | Patches and Tags from Multiple Outdoor Brands |
undated |
| 7 | 7 | Backpacker's Digest (Bruce's copy with notes) |
1971 |
| 7 | 8 | Documents on Various Topics, Brands and Products |
2007-2020 |
| 7 | 9 | Miscellaneous Pamphlets, Catalogs and Booklets |
1980-2016 |
| 7 | 10 | Business Cards, Tags, Documents and Receipts |
2009-2011 |
| 7 | 11 | Contacts and Address Book Documents |
2019-2020 |
| 7 | 12 | Bruce Johnson Miscellaneous Notes |
2008-2020 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Outdoor recreation industry.
- Outdoor recreation--Clothing trade.
Personal Names
- Amkraut, Larry.
- Gregory, Wayne.
- Johnson, Bruce 1958-2019.
- Steger, Will.
Corporate Names
- Adventure 16
- Gregory Mountain Products
- Ski Hut (Firm)
Finding aid/Register created by Monique Davila and Clint Pumphrey; additional materials added by Lincoln Johnson
2021, 2023
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
