Murray McCory, the founder of the outdoors equipment and accessories company, JanSport, died Oct. 7 at 80 years old. Confirmed by his daughter, Heidi Van Brost, to The New York Times, complications of congestive heart failure caused his death.
Known for his innovative spirit, McCory played a significant role in the development and success of the modern school backpack.
Those who knew him personally recognized his genius in engineering. “It was clear that Murray had inherited a creative gene from his dad,” co-founder Skip Yowell wrote in his book, “The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder & Other Mountains: How JanSport Makes It Happen.”
McCory won first place for his flexible, aluminum-frame hiking backpack prototype at a contest held by Alcoa, a corporation specializing in the material. “Probably the smartest thing Murray did was immediately get a patent on the construction of that frame,” Yowell wrote. “The next smartest thing was when he offered to name his company after his girlfriend, Jan Peterson.” McCory named the company, JanSport, as a marriage proposal to Peterson, also known as Lewis, and in recognition of her skills as a seamstress.
The two, along with Yowell, ran the company in its early years in a modest space right above McCory’s father’s transmission repair shop in Seattle. Yowell slept on a cot in the back of headquarters and would often focus on perfecting their revolutionary products. “We had very little money. To say we lived and breathed JanSport 24/7 would be accurate,” Yowell wrote.
Danielle Kimzey, an arts division professor, said she has been loyal to the brand since high school. “Back in the ’90s, owning named brand products signified that you were cool. JanSport was one of those brands and they were fairly affordable than most,” Kimzey said. “Reflecting back, those backpacks were something every student could connect with, no matter their background.”
Although it was not their intended audience, their backpacks attracted school students who often struggled to carry the weight of textbooks and supplies. “I wanted a durable backpack that could last me a few years,” Brookhaven student Khloe Rojas said. “I also like the various colors offered, along with school, I’ve taken this backpack to my volleyball playoffs.”
JanSport’s popularity amongst students started with colleges selling the products in their bookstores and soon expanded to include grade school students wearing them.
“Today, our backpacks are used worldwide; you can be in the outback of Bhutan, India, or the Himalayas, and you’ll find kids going to school carrying a daypack with their books and possessions with it,” Yowell wrote.
JanSport continues to uphold its commitment to creating quality and durable products, even when it falls short of some customers’ expectations. “Without question, providing superior products and exceptional customer service are two ways JanSport has retained its stellar reputation,” Yowell wrote. Each backpack comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which ensures that it can be repaired or replaced free of charge with certain exceptions, according to jansport.com.
At Brookhaven, the JanSport brand prevails as a significant influence on campus, as many students, faculty and staff are often seen sporting various styles and designs of iconic backpacks.
“I had mine since freshman year of high school, but I had to store it away because of the district’s rule to switch to clear ones,” Crystal Garcia, a student, said. “When it was time for college, I remember I had it put away and was really happy as I knew it was going to last and be very handy.”
McCory’s legacy at JanSport will continue to thrive on the backs of many. Whether you are an adventurous and thrill-seeking hiker or a studious and reserved school-aged student, JanSport strives to maintain its foundation of being fun and adventurous at all times. “Just remember, for the pioneer, life is an adventure and the path is unknown,” Yowell wrote. “But for those with a passion for their dreams, no mountain is too high.”
