Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives
Bruce Johnson papers
UUS_ORA 014
5.5 linear feet
8 boxes
1958-2023
This collection contains materials related to the history of outdoor gear, including 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.
Material in English
Processed in September of 2021, reprocessed in 2023 and 2025 to add additional materials
Bruce Johnson donated this collection to USU Special Collections and Archives in 2021, and additional material in 2023 and 2024.
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Outdoor Recreation Catalogs (ORA 001)
Outdoor Recreation Serials (ORA 002)
Michael Hodgson and Therese Iknoian outdoor industry collection (ORA 043)
Robert E. Gillis papers (ORA 006)
Gerry and Ann Cunningham papers (ORA 021)
Two Ski Hut posters and the 1978 Snow Lion Mountain poster were transferred to the ORA005 collection of posters.
Sports and Recreation
Outdoor recreation--Clothing trade.
Outdoor recreation industry.
Frostline Kits
1984-2016
Personal notes and papers related to Bruce Johnson's book
2006-2016
1
1
Julia Johnson correspondence
2007-2013
1
2
6 CD discs related to Frostline Kits book
2007-2011
1
3
Correspondence related to Frostline Kits book
2007-2013
1
4
Dale Johnson's death
2012-2014
1
5
Merchandise tags
undated
1
6
Images of merchandise tags from 1966 to 2006
undated
1
6
"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
7
Mail-order forms
undated
1
8
Stephenson's Warmlite
1958-2019
Photographs
1958-1995
1
9
Article Clippings
1958-1988
1
10
Papers related to catalogs
1959-1991
1
11
Envelopes addressed to Bruce Johnson
1976-2017
1
12
Bruce Johnson's Notes
1994-2018
1
13
Correspondence between Bruce Johnson and Jack Stephenson
1976-2013
2
1
Correspondence related to Warmlite
1995-2019
2
2
Papers related to Warmlite book
1978-2018
2
3
8 CD discs related to Warmlite book
2012-2015
2
4
Jack Stephenson's death
2017
2
5
Other Materials
1988-2008
Gregory, Summit, and Adventure 16
1988-2008
2
6
Article clippings related to Larry Amkraut
undated
2
7
Papers related to Will Steger
undated
2
8
Sierra Design and Mountain Hardwear bag tags
undated
2
9
Ski Hut "Ski Fest" poster
undated
2
10
Large print of Colin Fletcher
undated
3
1
Papers related to Jack Stephenson's Warmlite
1976-1994
4
1
Additional Materials later added to the collection
1970-2023
Documentation based on Companies
1974-2023
Holubar Documentation #1
2010-2023
4
2
Holubar Documentation #2
2009-2018
4
3
Holubar Documentation #3
2008-2016
4
4
Holubar Documentation: Scanned Documents
2009-2011
4
5
The North Face Geodesic Tents
1988-2013
4
6
Altra Sewing Kits from Tom Freese
1975-2008
5
5
A16 Andy Drollinger, Wayne Gregory
2007-2022
5
6
Class 5
2006-2014
5
7
Cordura
2014
5
8
Daisy Kingdom
1975-2011
5
9
Dana Designs
2007
5
10
Downhome, Blue Puma, Moonstone
1979-2013
5
11
Eddie Bauer
2017
5
12
EMS
2007-2011
5
13
Eureka Tents
2013-2018
5
14
Feathered Friends
1988-2015
5
15
Frostline - Grand Junction Era
2007-2011
5
16
Bruce's Saved Frostline Kits
1974-1978
5
17
Bruce's Frostline Story
2016
5
18
Hine - Snowbridge
2007-2009
5
19
Jansport
1977-2021
6
1
Kelty
2006-2016
6
2
Moonstone
1994-2014
6
3
Moss
2011-2018
6
4
Mountainsmith
1979-2013
6
5
MSR
2009-2020
6
6
The North Face
2007-2008
6
7
REI
2006-2015
6
8
Rivendell
2006-2015
6
9
Seattle Quilt
2015
6
10
Segen Pax
2011-2021
6
11
Shadoworks, Bibler Tents
1988-1992
6
12
Sierra Designs
1997-2015
6
13
Snowlion
2008-2014
6
14
Trailwise
2006-2016
6
15
Western Mountaineering
2012-2016
6
16
Wiggy's
2000-2007
6
17
Yakworks
2007
6
18
Documentation based on Individuals
2006-2020
Bob Howe Tent Maker
2006-2009
5
1
Colin Fletcher
2007-2013
5
2
Doug Hoschek
2012-2020
5
3
George Lamb
2007
5
4
Gerry Cunningham, Gerry Mountain Sports
1964-2019
These materials were added to the collection in 2025.
Gerr Cunningham research, correspondence, articles
2007-2012
8
1
GERRY: To Live in the Mountains, ISBN information, correspondence
2008
8
2
Gerry and ZeroXposur correspondence, invoices
2008-2011
8
3
Julia (Julie) Johnson materials: correspondence, Gerry's interview, obituary
2008-2012
8
4
Gerry Mountain Sports: website pages, interviews, correspondence, mentions of Leave No Trace
2012-2019
8
5
Gerry research, correspondence, book sections
2007-2011
8
6
Gerry Cunningham publication: The 50% Utility Bill... a case study
2008
8
7
Leave No Trace booklet, news article, 1967 catalog photocopy
2010-2011
8
8
Clothing label, Marchen Alp drawings, assorted envelopes and address labels
1964-2010
8
9
Media: CDs, DVDs, cassette
2007-2014
8
10-12
Consists of 14 cds, 4 dvds, 1 cassette. Currently unprocessed and may require additional time in order to access. Subjects include drafts of The History of Gear: Gerry (To Live in the Mountains), Gerry's 1970s film "The Wilderness Traveler" and autobiography Of Broken Booms and Other Things.
Physical Digital Hardware Components
2005-2023
History of Gear Project External Hard Drive
2023
7
1
Holubar CDs #1
1950-2011
7
2
Holubar CDs #2
2008-2016
7
3
History of Gear Catalogs from Alan Wenker CD
2005
7
4
Ephemera and Miscellaneous Notes
1970-2020
Utah Maps (Sold by Holubar Stores)
1970
7
5
Patches and Tags from Multiple Outdoor Brands
undated
7
6
Backpacker's Digest (Bruce's copy with notes)
1971
7
7
Documents on Various Topics, Brands and Products
2007-2020
7
8
Miscellaneous Pamphlets, Catalogs and Booklets
1980-2016
7
9
Business Cards, Tags, Documents and Receipts
2009-2011
7
10
Contacts and Address Book Documents
2019-2020
7
11
Bruce Johnson Miscellaneous Notes
2008-2020
7
12