Trapper Nelson Packboard collection, 1923-1964
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Utah State University
- Title
- Trapper Nelson Packboard collection
- Dates
- 1923-1964 (inclusive)19231961
- Quantity
- 1 folder, (housed in quarter letter box)
- Collection Number
- UUS_ORA 022
- Summary
- The collection contains photographs and news clippings regarding Lloyd F. Nelson, inventor of the "Trapper Nelson pack board"
- 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 access, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
- Languages
- English
Content Description
The collection contains photographs and news clippings regarding Lloyd F. Nelson, inventor of the "Trapper Nelson pack board," a backpacking frame with removable bag. Also included is a photograph of Edmond Meany, the president of the Seattle Mountaineering club.
Historical Note
One of the early developers of the external frame for backpack, Lloyd F. Nelson got inspiration from his own experience hiking across Alaska to stake a land claim in 1920. The Trapper Nelson Pack Board replaced the rucksack, or "kidney buster" pack, with a wooden frame and canvas backboard that allowed a hiker to distribute the pack weight more comfortably over shoulders and hips and carry heavier loads with out the need to bend forward. A removeable canvas bag could be sized according to the volume of gear and supplies. After multiple prototypes and improvements, Nelson visited sporting goods and hardware stores in Seattle and Bremerton with a loaded pack to advertise. In time, the Trapper Nelson packboard was used to supply the Coast and Geodetic Survey, the Army Mapping Service, and was unofficially the preferred pack of the Boy Scouts of America.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Trapper Nelson Packboard collection must be obtained from the Outdoor Recreation Archive Curator and/or the Special Collections Section Head.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: Trapper Nelson Packboard collection USU_ORA 022. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_ORA 022, USUSCA.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Description: Photograph and news article
This photograph, likely taken to accompany the article, shows Nelson holding a "modern" version of his pack board.
Dates: 1961Container: Box 1, Item 1 -
Description: Photograph and news article
This is a historic photograph, circa 1920, with Nelson and his daughter, Lois, riding in the pack.
Dates: 1961Container: Box 1, Item 2 -
Description: Photocopied pages from a Recreational Equipment Inc. catalog, showing images and prices of the Trapper Nelson PackboardDates: 1964Container: Box 1, Item 3
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Description: Photograph of a man standing, others sitting in the shade of the tree
Caption on reverse reads, "Edmond S. Meany - 15 years pres of Seattle Mountaineers. Known as "Big Chief" - in a characteristic pose while speaking to club on shores of Lake Chelan."
Dates: 1923Container: Box 1, Item 4
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Expeditions and Adventure
- Outdoor recreation--Equipment and supplies
