Space Backpack!
Actual Backpack!
Originally uploaded by c_jenkinsI made a backpack out of duct tape and velcro and poster tubes cardboard and bubble wrap and hairbands. It is modular: it not only has separate compartments for laptop (padded!), lab notebook, power cord, and water bottle, but see that rectangular bit sticking out? that is one of a potentially infinite number of modules that can be attached and detached from the main section using velcro (that's the paperback book module, large enough for trade paperbacks). True, there is technically only one module in existence, but it's a proof of concept.
The hair bands provide attachment spots for umbrella, shopping bags, and miscellaneous other things.
Sadly, the shoulder straps (which took a lot of work and reinforcement to make usable -- they initially kept tearing off) are not actually positioned all that well, and are non-adjustable. The result is that this otherwise super-awesome backpack is not terribly comfortable. I will probably get around to trying to fix that eventually.
I hope to document this crazy thing in more detail later, but thanks to contessagrrl for the photo! (One more at the link.)