Today February 10th is Umbrella Day............
The umbrella was invented about four thousand years ago. There is some evidence of umbrellas being used in ancient Egypt, Assyria, Greece, and China.
These umbrellas or parasols were first designed to offer shade from the sun. The Chinese, doesn’t it figure, were the first to waterproof their umbrellas for use as rain protection.
Starting in the 16th century umbrellas became popular to the western world, especially in the rainy weather of northern Europe. At first it was considered only suitable for women. Then the Persian traveler and writer, Jonas Hanway, carried and used an umbrella publicly in England for about thirty years, popularizing umbrella use among men. English gentleman during this time referred to their umbrellas as a "Hanway."
Early European umbrellas were made of wood or whalebone and covered with alpaca or oiled canvas. 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 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.
And the rest, as they say, is history………….
………..You can celebrate Umbrella Day in a couple of ways. First, make sure your umbrella is handy. Second, use it, or walk around with it. If you don't have an umbrella, isn't it time to get one?
Don:
Pretty impressive. What are delightful history m have. By the way, I thought the English called umbrellas bumper-shoots.
Thanks for the history lesson Don. Does hallmark have a card for Umbrella day?
Don, interesting history on the umbrella, I had no idea it was that old! Thanks I like information like this!
Good morning Marge,
I appreciate you stopping in and commenting this morning.
Good morning Steve,
Good luck at your next trivia night and may the best umbrella win.
Joni,
I wouldn't dream of pulling your leg. There are others here that are really good at that.
Krista,
Thank you ma'am for stopping in and commenting. I would say start practicing by carrying one with you as a walking cane until it rains. :-))
Good morning Samantha.
It is always good to have one with you, one can never tell when it may rain.
Good morning Evelyn,
You may be right for now but my research, not through, said Hanway strated the trend around 1760. The name could be that now. I did go here for furthur information on bumper shoot
Good morning Jim,
I am not sure if Hallmark has a card for today but they do carry quite a line of cards. :-))
Good morning Tony,
I am glad that you enjoyed the information. Stay tuned for more holidays.
Hi Don - apparently there is "something" day for each day of the year. Interesting post. I wonder how the old umbrellas handled wind gusts?:)
Great information and post! I wonder what the "snow load" of an umbrella might be!!
Happy Trails!!
Conrad,
Some days have more than one thing going. I am not to sure how well they handled the wind gusts.
Good afternoon Rob,
Another good question. I am thinking that based on the snow we have had this year we would have gone through a boat load of umbrellas.
Thanks for history lesson. I thought the Chinese had invented the umbrella. Hmmm, with this years weather we need a snowbella LOL
I live in Seattle and don't own an umbrella....it's how we spot the tourists!
Susan,
I am with you ma'am we have had enough snow. I guess it has something to do with global WARMING!!!
Hmmmm Kerrie,
I guess that means that I can't visit your area, darn the luck..........
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