Short Patent Knapsack
From Salem Links and Lore
Joseph Short of Salem (1822-1869) designed a new style of backpack for the soldiers of the Civil War which was much more comfortable than
the army-issued one. It was called the "Short Patent Knapsack" and alleviated much of the suffering from the pressure of the straps.
It won the endorsement of the Executive Committee of the U. S. Sanitary Commission and was soon the most popular backpack, the soldiers paying $2.00 each for it.
It was also exhibited all around the country and displayed at the Paris Exposition of 1867.
See Also
"Salem man's patented knapsack ranked high with Union soldiers" Salem News, Aug. 11, 2022, p. 18
Unheralded hero: the inventor whose knapsack saved Union soldiers' back Genealogy Bank blog
