A group of Cornell University students noticed that many people who use backpacks sling only one strap over their shoulders.

So they brought the concept for a one-strapped backpack from England to 40 universities across the United States.

Phillip Straughan enrolled in a class called Entrepreneurship and Enterprise during Fall Semester 1988. For his final project, he proposed to make a product that would interest college students.

He and his colleagues, Tiffany Norwood and Oliver Pfeffer, got the idea from a friend at a student convention in England, he said.

"It was a neat idea," Straughan said. "It was designed by the student for the student."

The $42 pack, called ToPAQ (Totally Original Pack), is made of DuPont Cordura nylon fabric, but instead of the standard two thin straps in the back, the ToPAQ has one thick, padded strap down the middle.

Now 40 universities, including Penn State and Ohio State, are selling the pack on their campuses, he said.

The bag also contains a thumbgrip on the strap, a fastener at the end of the strap, a velcro cover pouch and a pocket to hold small articles such as identification, Straughan said.

"It doesn't slide off your shoulder," Straughan said. "It can be used on the left or right side, and can be clicked across the chest for bike riders."

The thick single strap distributes the bag's weight more evenly, allowing for more comfort, Straughan said.

But Vinnie Ferri, (graduate-sociology), said the bag would not be functional for bike riders.

"I have noticed people using them," he said as he shopped for a new bag at the Penn State Bookstore. "But it kind of defeats the purpose if you want to ride a bike."

Stephanie Luther, assistant merchandise specialist for the Penn State Bookstore, said she decided to buy the bag for the store because it was different.

"I thought these were a unique product," Luther said. "It's unique how (the group) took a class project a few steps further."

After turning in the final project, the group won the Mariani Award, a $5,000 award named after a Cornell alumnus who encourages entrepreneurship, Straughan said. The money went to investment in the product and for patent fees.

ToPAQ went on sale during the summer of 1989, he said.

"I didn't expect that it would sell, but people thought it was a good idea," Straughan said.

The Penn State Bookstore has sold more than 50 percent of the bags it ordered, Luther said.

"You can say that they are selling well," Luther said.

The name ToPAQ also stands for its creators first initials: Tiffany, Oliver, Phillip, and Anthony. The Q stands for quality, Straughan said.