[Karen W. (OP)]

I was just thinking about my rather nice umbrella and wondered thats all! Curious as to when this happened also! Does anyone know what year and maybe what the first one was made of?

[paul.fr]

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.

The word "umbrella" comes from the Latin root word "umbra", meaning shade or shadow. Starting in the 16th century 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, and he popularized umbrella use among men. English gentleman often referred to their umbrellas as a "Hanway."

The first all umbrella shop was called "James Smith and Sons". The shop opened in 1830, and is still located at 53 New Oxford St., 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.

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. African-American, inventor, William C. Carter patented an umbrella stand on August the 8th, 1885.

After that, compact collapsible umbrellas were the next major technical innovation in umbrella manufacture, over a century later.

[Karen W. (OP)]

That is really cool information Paul! Thank you.. I like the big wide ones with ornate cool or unusual handles.  Do you remember the "bubble?" I had one seems that it was in the 70's they were cool!YOU remember, clear see through!

[DoctorBeaver]

I had a friend who was studying Product Design & Manufacture at uni. For the final year project they had to take an everyday object & improve it. My friend chose the umbrella.

He thought there were too many parts and that most of them don't keep you vary dry. He did very well with reducing the number of parts; getting it down to 3 to hold the hood in place. But then he tackled the other issue.

He made it dome-shaped to cover the shoulders & transparent so it could be seen through. However, there was a problem with condensation from breath causing it to mist. So what did he do? He made holes in the goddam thing! Well DER!

[neilep]

I am sure I did a Science A-Z entry for Umbrella.....

the thing is ..I can not be arsed to look it up !! (lethargy  mode)

[Karen W. (OP)]

Thanks anyways..Neil, LOL
Thanks Doc! The holes would heve worked at the top, if he had adapted a second piece into the design. like a overhang thay comes round the toplike a mini diverter that is wider then the circumference of the vented area.over the dome, but not laying flat against it to allow ventilation and protection from the rain.

[BillJx]

Thanks anyways..Neil, LOL
Thanks Doc! The holes would heve worked at the top, if he had adapted a second piece into the design. like a overhang thay comes round the toplike a mini diverter that is wider then the circumference of the vented area.over the dome, but not laying flat against it to allow ventilation and protection from the rain.

Brilliant Karen!  Basically a tent and fly! Get your sewing machine out!

I think that using an umbrella in a crowd is the height of selfishness.  All it does is deflect streams of water onto the people beside you.

[ROBERT]

Have you seen the new "stealth umbrella" ? ...
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2185173/stealth-umbrella-won-blown-away

The first umbrella use was much earlier than previously stated...
http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/mammals/Pongo_abelii/Pongo_abelii_03a.html?movietype=rpMed

[Karen W. (OP)]

Thanks anyways..Neil, LOL
Thanks Doc! The holes would heve worked at the top, if he had adapted a second piece into the design. like a overhang thay comes round the toplike a mini diverter that is wider then the circumference of the vented area.over the dome, but not laying flat against it to allow ventilation and protection from the rain.

Brilliant Karen!  Basically a tent and fly! Get your sewing machine out!

I think that using an umbrella in a crowd is the height of selfishness.  All it does is deflect streams of water onto the people beside you.

WHY thank You..( Takes a bow LOL) Exactly my thoughts like my tent!! LOL!! LOL!!

[ethanjoshua]

Paul that was worth to read and I was not aware about all these. Some times it is so that we use so many things but we are not aware about from where it is come and its origin. You had added a very good knowledge in me. Good work done by you. Keep it up.

[athore]

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..

[Make it Lady]

The Aztec army used an umbrella made out of feathers as a flag. Do I get a prize?

[bob 83]

I never thought it who invent the umbrella and when, i just thinking about my beautiful umbrella it's really looks wondered...You also liked it. []

[Carolyn]

So I was looking for the inventor of the umbrella and it directed me here.......do y'all remember me? 

It's a little known fact that the person who named the umbrella was going to simply call it a 'brella', but he hesitated.

[cheryl j]

hahahahaha. good one.

[PmbPhy]

I was just thinking about my rather nice umbrella and wondered thats all! Curious as to when this happened also! Does anyone know what year and maybe what the first one was made of?

I don't know but I imagined that it was someone like me, i.e. someone who hates getting wet in the rain.

[cheryl j]

There is a new design that is kind of cool.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/10/22/358037907/weekly-innovation-an-umbrella-for-the-modern-age

[christycurtis]

Would love to add some trivia about umbrella.

Do you know that umbrella comes from two words "umbra and elle" which means "shadow and little" that stands for the words "little shadow", and so the logic is that umbrella is made for sunlight protection and not for use during rainy days.?

[AnnaSmith]

I was just thinking about my rather nice umbrella and wondered thats all! Curious as to when this happened also! Does anyone know what year and maybe what the first one was made of?

Wow, that's a long history. Anyway, which do you think is the best umbrella? Do you have any recommendations for cute rainy day outfits aside umbrella? The place where I live has a pouring season, so umbrella might not able to protect me from getting wet through.