Origins of Everyday Objects | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/origins-everyday-objects/RSS feed for Origins of Everyday ObjectsenTue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000We’ve Been Strapping Cargo to Our Backs for Millions of Years, but Backpack Innovation Really Took Off Around the Civil Warhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/weve-been-strapping-cargo-backs-millions-years-backpack-innovation-took-off-around-civil-war-180989280/Discover the origin story for an accessory being comfortably lugged by nearly every hiker and student, with about 450 million sold each yearTue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/weve-been-strapping-cargo-backs-millions-years-backpack-innovation-took-off-around-civil-war-180989280/