Ancient Greek and Roman Origins
Extremely mobile, the Greek and Roman armies needed shelters that could be easily transported and assembled and dismantled quickly. Using wooden frames and cloth covers, these armies honed and evolved the camping tent for their specific wartime needs.
Teepee Influence and the U.S. Army
As the U.S. Army began its westward movement across North America, it adapted Native American designs into its portable shelters. The Sibley Tent borrowed from the unique teepee cone design Native Americans used as portable homes. The Sibley Tent was one of the first to have a patent on its design.
Evolution of the Tent
Modern tents began to take shape around the 1960s. Pegs were introduced to stake the tent down, and new lightweight metal poles began replacing wood frames. The 1970s saw a boom in interest in backpacking and camping, and designers began mass producing camping tents.
Season and Activity Specific Tents
As more people began to enjoy the backcountry, tent makers saw the need for season- and activity-specific tents. North Face began producing its famous VE-25 for mountaineering. Considered a tent of choice by high-altitude mountaineers, the VE-25 is seen on the world's tallest mountains.
Plethora of Choices
With the demand in place and designers making better tents, consumers have a great choice when shopping for modern camping tents.
Article Written By Eric Cedric
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.
