When we think of the quintessential travel icon, the imagination treks to one person: Marco Polo. This legendary traveler immortalized the joys and woes of exploration and discovery. However, what supplied his vast journeys, was his reliable backpack. Marco Polo’s backpack was more than just a sack – it was a survival kit, entertainment center, and the closest thing he had to a home. Currying navigational tools, manuscripts, and the simplest of amenities, his backpack was an epitome of self-sufficiency. Contained within were flints for starting fires, dried fruits for nourishment, and tools for makeshift shelters. More than anything else, his backpack represented preparedness, the sheer will to outlive the uncertain and adapt to the unpredictable. Wandering away from known civilization, it took strategy and strength, both afforded to Polo by his persistent backpack. So when we sling that pack on our backs, let’s take a moment to appreciate Mr. Polo, who reminded us of the incredible journeys that a humble backpack can furnish.