The basic umbrella was invented over four thousand years ago. We have seen evidence of umbrellas in the ancient art and artifacts of Egypt, Assyria, Greece, and China.
These ancient umbrellas or parasols, were
first designed to provide shade from the sun. The Chinese were the
first to waterproof their umbrellas for use as rain protection. They
waxed and lacquered their paper parasols in order to use them for rain.
Origins of the Term Umbrella
The word “umbrella” comes from the Latin root word “umbra”, meaning shade or shadow. Starting in the 16th century
the umbrella became popular to the western world, especially in the
rainy weather of northern Europe. At first it was considered only an
accessory suitable for women. Then the Persian traveler and writer, Jonas Hanway
(1712-86), carried and used an umbrella publicly in England for thirty
years, he popularized umbrella use among men. English gentleman often
referred to their umbrellas as a “Hanway.”
James Smith and Sons
The first all umbrella shop was called “James Smith and Sons“. The shop opened in 1830, and is still located at 53 New Oxford Street in London, England.
The early European umbrellas were made of
wood or whalebone and covered with alpaca or oiled canvas. The artisans
made the curved handles for the umbrellas out of hard woods like ebony,
and were well paid for their efforts.
English Steels Company
In 1852, Samuel Fox
invented the steel ribbed umbrella design. Fox also founded the “English
Steels Company”, and claimed to have invented the steel ribbed umbrella
as a way of using up stocks of farthingale stays, steel stays used in
women’s corsets. After that, compact collapsible umbrellas were the next
major technical innovation in umbrella manufacture, over a century
later.
