We make bags! But we are not the first.. Bags have been an essential part of human civilization since the early ages. They were initially used for carrying food, tools, and other necessary items for survival. Over time, bags have evolved into a fashion statement, an accessory to enhance an outfit or to make a statement. Yet, the history of bags is a long and interesting one.
Backpacks
Backpacks are one of the most popular types of bags today, and their history can be traced back to the 19th century. One of the first backpacks was made of canvas with a metal frame. Can you imagine? It was a significant improvement over the traditional shoulder bag and it quickly gained popularity.
Backpacks continued to evolve over the years, with innovations such as padded straps, multiple compartments, and lightweight materials.
Side Bags
Side bags, also known as messenger bags, have a more recent history than backpacks. They first gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, when bicycle couriers used them to carry packages and letters! The bags were designed to be worn across the body, with a wide shoulder strap to distribute weight evenly.
Toiletry Bags
Toiletry bags have a long history, dating back to the 17th century. They were originally made of leather (nope, not vegan) and were used to carry a person's items such as a comb, razor, and soap, like today. In the 19th century, toiletry bags became more popular as people began to travel more frequently.
Fabric Types
The materials used to make bags have evolved over time. Initially, bags were made of natural materials such as hemp, cotton, nettle, and jute. Sounds familiair? Yes, these fabrics are the exact ones we are using to make our LaLu bags.
Still, many bags are made of a wide variety of materials these days, including synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester. While these materials are lightweight and flexible, they are not very sustainable. Luckily there has been change towards more sustainable materials again.
How interesting to know that the materials we use for out sustainable bags, is about the same that humans were using centuries ago?
