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From 'Book Strap' To 'Burrito': A History Of The School Backpack : NPR Ed : NPR
by thenewgreen

    Our Tools of the Trade series is exploring some of the icons of schools and education.

    My editor, Steve Drummond, isn't that old of a guy. He's from Michigan — Wayne Memorial HS, Class of '79.

    But when he starts talking about backpacks he dips into a "back in my day" tone that makes you think of a creaky rocking chair and suspenders: "You know, Lee, when I was in school, no one had a backpack!

    "You just carried your books in your arms." He says it like he's talking about sending a telegram with Morse Code. "No one really thought about it, that's just what you did."