The annual Hotter'N Hell Hundred is this weekend and with the events officially kicking off tonight, let's look back at a ride from several decades ago that lead to a pretty cool invention.

Bike Invention Formed Right Here in Wichita Falls

If you want to test out some bike equipment, no better place to do it than on the 100 mile journey of the Hotter'N Hell Hundred. Turns out though, a quick invention was made back in 1988. Michael Eidson was taking part in our annual ride and wanted to hydrate without having to take his hands off his bike. So he took an IV bag filled with water and put it in a tube sock. This was he could suck the water out of the IV bag, without having to grab a water bottle. All these years later, you may know it as the CamelBak.

CamelBak Was Originally Considered Too 'Geeky'

Now the original tube sock design would not go over well with the public. So Michael invented the backpack design that you see all these years later. Even that was not considered 'cool'. After a smart advertising campaign, the CamelBak really took off with their slogan.

With the slogan 'Hydrate or Die' the backpacks started selling crazy with cyclists. They started branching outside of the cycling world in the 90's. Attracting hikers and even the military. That's right soldiers in the Gulf War were walking around with CamelBaks strapped to them to stay hydrated.

CamelBak Also Makes Tumblers Nowadays

If you're someone that doesn't want a backpack of water strapped to your back. The company makes all sorts of cups nowadays to keep you hydrated. Crazy to think that it all started on that 100 mile journey right here in Wichita Falls.