Take the school backpack, for example. Its invention can be traced to one man, Murray McCory, who died last month. McCory founded JanSport in 1967 with his future wife (Jan, the company’s namesake).

He brought lightweight packs to millions of students and transformed the way they carried their textbooks to school.

WHICH LAPTOP BACKPACKS ARE BEST? For business people, travelers and students, backpacks have a lot of advantages over briefcases and messenger bags because they’re easier on your shoulders and arms.

Though backpack bans are rare, school leaders across the state face a similar imperative to protect students from violence by any means necessary, oftentimes with limited resources at their disposal.

Students at Washington Community High School are being asked not to bring backpacks to school the rest of the week after possible risk to student safety was made known to school and police officials.