Herbie Murray
The evolution of the sleeping bag has been thousands of years in the making. For a long time, people relied on animal skins to keep warm at night. In the 19th century, people began to use blankets, and in 1861, Francis Tuckett, vice-president of the English Alpine Society, used a textile with a rubber waterproofing compound, paving the way for contemporary sleeping bags. In the 1870s, Pryce Pryce-Jones, a Welsh inventor, created the first commercially successful sleeping bag, the Euklisia Rug, which he sold to the Russian and British armies. The evolution of sleeping bags continued with the first recorded use of down-filled bags in 1892 by Albert Mummery, and the development of the Egyptian sarcophagus-shaped 'mummy' bag in the 1930s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the walking sleeping bag | Euklisia Rug |
| Inventor | Pryce Pryce-Jones |
| Year of invention | 1876 |
| Place of invention | Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Wales |
| Profession of the inventor | Entrepreneur, mail-order pioneer |
| Number of bags sold to the Russian Army | 60,000 |
| Other buyers | British Army, Australian Outback pioneers, missionaries in Africa |
| Previous versions of sleeping bags | Animal skins, blankets, Elverys Sports' Crimea Wrapper |
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What You'll Learn
- The first sleeping bags were made from animal skins
- French customs officials created the first knapsack sleeping bag in the 1850s
- Pryce Pryce-Jones created the first commercially successful sleeping bag
- The Euklisia Rug was a forerunner of the modern sleeping bag
- Sleeping bag manufacturing began in the 1890s in Finland
The first sleeping bags were made from animal skins
The history of sleeping bags dates back thousands of years, with the first sleeping bags being made from animal skins. For millennia, people relied on animal skins to keep warm at night. The Eskimo people, for example, used animal fur insulation and seal skin for fabric, creating a natural, breathable, and waterproof sleeping bag. This knowledge was likely adopted by those who ventured to the Arctic, utilising buffalo skins to create bags that could fit up to three people.
Jumping forward to the 19th century, advancements in textile manufacturing brought new options for warmth. Blankets became the go-to solution for many, including mountaineers and hikers. In 1861, Francis Tuckett, vice-president of the English Alpine Society, used a textile with an applied rubber waterproofing compound, marking a significant step towards the contemporary sleeping bag.
In 1876, the "Euklisia Rug", derived from the Ancient Greek words "eu" (well) and "klesia" (cot or sleeping place), was patented by mail-order pioneer Pryce Pryce-Jones. This bag is considered a forerunner of the modern sleeping bag. Pryce-Jones, an entrepreneur from Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Wales, developed and exported the bag worldwide in the late 19th century. Documents show that he sold 60,000 of these rugs to the Russian Army, and they were also purchased by the British Army.
The "Euklisia Rug" was a sewn blanket sleeping bag with an in-sewn airtight pillow. Pryce-Jones advertised that the pillow could be removed and the space stuffed with feathers, wool, cotton, or straw to create a bed and blanket combination. This innovation not only provided warmth but also comfort, making it appealing to a wider range of users, including those "for the poor," as Pryce-Jones intended.
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French customs officials created the first knapsack sleeping bag in the 1850s
The invention of the sleeping bag as we know it today can be traced back to the 1850s and the French customs officials who patrolled the Pyrenees between Spain and France. These officials required a way to keep warm overnight, so they created a knapsack bag from sheepskin. They lined the interior with wool for added warmth and attached buckles so the bag could be rolled up during the day. While it served its purpose, the design was not ideal for comfort or convenience, especially when it came to nightly bathroom breaks. Nonetheless, it marked the beginning of sleeping bag innovation.
The French customs officials' creation of the first knapsack sleeping bag in the 1850s was a significant milestone in the evolution of outdoor gear. It demonstrated human ingenuity in the face of challenging environments and laid the foundation for further advancements in sleeping bag technology. This early prototype sparked new ideas and inspired others to build upon its design, leading to the development of more sophisticated sleeping bags in the years that followed.
The 1850s saw a growing demand for effective insulation solutions as exploration and mountaineering gained popularity. Camel hair, a hollow fibre with natural insulating properties, was utilised in woven blankets during this time. This marked the beginning of a shift from traditional blankets to more specialised sleeping gear. The French customs officials' invention was a response to the limitations of existing blankets in providing sufficient warmth in cold, outdoor conditions.
The prototype created by the French customs officials in the 1850s was a pivotal moment in the history of outdoor equipment. It represented the first attempt to create a portable, insulated sleeping solution. While the design had its shortcomings, it opened the door to a new category of outdoor gear. This early sleeping bag was a precursor to the modern designs that would emerge in the latter part of the 19th century, marking a new era in outdoor exploration and comfort.
The French customs officials' invention of the first knapsack sleeping bag in the 1850s was a product of necessity, born from their unique circumstances patrolling the Pyrenees. Their creation not only kept them warm during cold nights but also inspired future innovations in outdoor gear, particularly sleeping bag technology. This early design set in motion a series of improvements that would eventually lead to the comfortable and functional sleeping bags we know and rely on today for our outdoor adventures.
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Pryce Pryce-Jones created the first commercially successful sleeping bag
The first commercially successful sleeping bag was created by Pryce Pryce-Jones, a Welsh entrepreneur from Newtown, Montgomeryshire. Pryce-Jones was a true entrepreneur, revolutionising how products were sold by creating the first mail-order catalogues in 1861. He sold woollen goods, allowing customers to order by post and have their goods delivered by railway.
In 1876, Pryce-Jones patented a sewn blanket sleeping bag with an in-sewn airtight pillow, which he named the "Euklisia Rug". The name is derived from the Ancient Greek "eu", meaning "well", and "klesia", meaning "cot" or "sleeping place". The Euklisia Rug was a forerunner of the modern sleeping bag.
Pryce-Jones exported the Euklisia Rug around the world, landing a contract with the Russian Army for 60,000 rugs. The rugs were designed to be folded and rolled up, and protected soldiers from the cold. Due to the Russian Army's efficiency in battle against the Turks at Plevna, Pryce-Jones's contract was terminated early, leaving him with 17,000 rugs. However, the product was also purchased by the British Army, and there are records of civilian uses among missionaries in Africa and pioneers in the Australian outback.
Pryce-Jones's business flourished, and he had over 100,000 customers worldwide, including Florence Nightingale and Queen Victoria. In 1887, he was knighted by Queen Victoria, becoming Sir Pryce Pryce-Jones. He was also elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Montgomery from 1885 to 1886 and again from 1892 to 1895. Pryce-Jones's innovation and success in the mail-order industry helped shape the global industry that we know today.
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The Euklisia Rug was a forerunner of the modern sleeping bag
The Euklisia Rug, patented by Pryce Pryce-Jones in 1876, is considered the forerunner of the modern sleeping bag. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek words εὖ (well) and κλισία (cot or sleeping place). Pryce-Jones, a Welsh entrepreneur from Newtown, Montgomeryshire, developed the bag and exported it worldwide in the late 19th century.
The Euklisia Rug was a wool blanket with a pocket near the top for a sewn-in, inflatable rubber pillow. Users could climb into the rug, fold the blanket over their bodies, and fasten the sides together. This design eliminated the hassle of climbing into a conventional sack-like sleeping bag. The rug was simple yet innovative, and its commercial success was remarkable.
Pryce-Jones initially sold 60,000 rugs to the Russian Army for use during the Siege of Plevna in the Russo-Turkish War. However, the city fell before the Russian Army could fulfil their order, leaving Pryce-Jones with 17,000 rugs. Undeterred, he added the rug to his catalogue, marketing it as inexpensive bedding for charities. The rug gained popularity, finding civilian use among missionaries in Africa and pioneers in the Australian Outback, as well as adoption by the British Army.
The Euklisia Rug's impact on the evolution of the sleeping bag is significant. It demonstrated the potential of a more user-friendly design, showcasing how a simple blanket-like structure with fastening mechanisms could provide a comfortable and portable sleeping solution. This influence can be seen in the basic design of modern sleeping bags, which retain the fundamental concept of a blanket or quilt fitted with zippers to form a tube, providing warmth and portability for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Sleeping bag manufacturing began in the 1890s in Finland
The concept of a sleeping bag has been around for thousands of years, with people using animal skins to keep warm at night. In the 19th century, people would wrap themselves in blankets for warmth. In 1861, Francis Tuckett, vice-president of the English Alpine Society, used a textile with an applied rubber waterproofing compound, marking the beginning of contemporary sleeping bag modifications.
In 1876, Pryce Jones patented a sewn blanket sleeping bag with an in-sewn airtight pillow, known as the "Euklisia Rug". This bag was exported worldwide and sold to the Russian and British armies. Around the same time, in the late 19th century, the natural insulating properties of camel hair were utilised in woven blankets.
Sleeping bag manufacturing began in Norway in 1889, and in Finland in the 1890s, with the first commercial production of sleeping bags with insulating filling by the Norwegian company Ajungilak around 1890. The first recorded use of a down-filled bag was in 1892 by Albert Mummery.
The evolution of sleeping bags has continued over the years, with developments in shape, insulation, and convenience features such as zippers and hoods.
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Frequently asked questions
The "Euklisia Rug", from the Ancient Greek εὖ (well) and κλισία (cot, sleeping-place), is considered the first forerunner of the modern sleeping bag. It was patented by mail-order pioneer Pryce Pryce-Jones in 1876.
Pryce Pryce-Jones, a Welsh entrepreneur, was inspired by the demands of exploration and mountaineering to create the sleeping bag. He exported the bags worldwide in the late 19th century.
Early sleeping bags used insulating materials such as camel hair, a hollow fibre, and woven blankets in the late 19th century. The first recorded use of down-filled bags was in 1892.
Yes, in the 1850s, French customs officials patrolling the Pyrenees between Spain and France created a knapsack bag from sheepskin. They lined the interior with wool and attached buckles to roll it up during the day. Elverys Sports in Ireland also marketed a proto-sleeping bag known as the Crimea Wrapper towards soldiers posted to the Crimean War during the same period.
