The term "tote" means "to carry," and tote bags have been around in some form since the 17th century. However, they gained mainstream popularity in the mid-20th century. One of the earliest commercial tote bags was introduced by the American outdoor brand L.L. Bean in 1944 as a sturdy ice bag. Over time, its durable canvas design made it ideal for carrying other items as well, and its use quickly expanded beyond cold storage.