1953- Mike Pfotenhauer, Osprey Packs founder and Head Designer is abandoned as a newborn in Roswell, New Mexico-complete with sample patterns and an odd assortment of buckles in hand.(confirm date) 1974- Mike Pfotenhauer and Laurie White start up Osprey Packs in Santa Cruz, Ca.
1976 – Breathable mesh panel introduced on Osprey packs
1979 – First Osprey travel pack, the Outlander, released upon the masses
1986 - Osprey adds partners Gabriella Salinas and Diane Wren and begins selling packs wholesale
1990 – Mike Pfotenhauer and Diane Wren move Osprey into former Gore-Tex factory in Dolores, CO (population 864). Hires new skilled workforce, primarily from Navajo Reservation.
1993 - Osprey introduces the Isis an innovative custom fit women's backpack, the first in a legacy of women's custom fit
1994 - Osprey moves production to new location in Cortez, Co.
1995 – Pika kid’s pack receives Backpacker Magazine Editor’s Choice Award
1995 – Recycled HDPE framesheets introduced in Osprey Packs
1998 - Mike Pfotenhauer literally dreams the Straightjacket suspension compression system
1998 –Osprey ErgoPull hipbelt closure and introduced to the masses and changes backpack hipbelts forever.
1999 - Osprey expands facility in Cortez and all operations are moved from Dolores.
2000 - Osprey begins to move some production offshore to Korea and Vietnam
2002 - Aether 60 receives the Grand GG award from Outdoor Life Network
2003 - Aether 75 receives the Outside Magazine Gear of the Year Award
2003- Osprey partners Mike Pfotenhauer and Diane Wren and family move to Vietnam
2003- Design and Quality Control Center in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is formed with Vietnamese staff
2004- Switch 55+5 is awarded Editors' Choice by Backpacker Magazine