MSR's first stove

The First MSR Stove

In the mid 70s, Larry Penberthy and his company Mountain Safety Research (MSR) performed studies that showed a big problem in mountaineering was dehydration.  He then figured that what was needed was a better stove for melting snow, so water could be available for drinking.  He studied the stoves available at the time, and came up with a truly innovative design.  His design did away with the built fuel-in tank that other camping stoves had (see the Coleman G.I. Pocket Stove, and Primus, as examples) .  Penberthy's stove used the fuel can that a hiker carried fuel in as the stoves fuel tank. The patent was issued in 1975, and MSR Model 9 the Expedition XGK look very similar to the drawing in the patent.

Thus, the stove itself was very light in weight.  The stove was also designed to have quite a flame, and to deliver lots of energy for melting snow.  The early stoves also had a spark generator for starting the gas on fire.  The stove was a huge success, and set the direction for camping stoves for 30 years, until compressed gas stoves became competitive.  MSR now makes many models of stoves and other outdoor products, all of them known for being practical, easy to maintain in the field, and of the highest quality.  Compressed gas stoves still can't compete with liquid fuel stoves for winter use, where MSR liquid gas stoves are still king.