The history of the rain umbrella is long and illustrious, dating as far back as ancient Egypt. Interestingly, before people thought to protect themselves from the rain, they sought to shelter themselves from the sun, so the first umbrellas were actually parasols. This is mostly because ancient Egyptians encountered far more sun than rain. However, over time, both the technology and the typical use for umbrellas shifted to include rain protection.
Depictions of umbrellas have been depicted in Middle Eastern relics, Chinese written records, ancient Greek poetry, Roman pottery and Indian paintings, as well as archeological artifacts from man other nations, indicating that, from its Egyptian origins, the umbrella spread to other empires.
Umbrella Evolution
After Rome fell, umbrellas essentially disappeared from the western scene, re-emerging only during the European Renaissance in the form of parasols that functioned as much as status symbols as they did sun protection. The reason for this may be that Europeans were influence by Asian cultures with whom they were now making regular contact. Despite much of Europe’s wet climate, the rain umbrella finally made its appearance in the 18th century, beginning, as you might suspect, in England and then spreading across the continent. It was at this time that the umbrella also emerged from its reputation as a female accessory to be used by anyone interested in keeping their head dry.
One of the most famous literary depictions of the umbrella occurs in the classis Daniel Defoe story Robinson Crusoe, where the protagonist, using oiled animal skins for waterproofing, makes an umbrella in the style of others he had seen in South America.
Technological Innovation
Today, umbrellas come in many types and styles, from compact, folding models to enormous golf umbrellas. Some umbrellas are even designed to be work as hats, thereby freeing the user’s hands. One very unusual new type of rain umbrella is called a Senz umbrella that has aerodynamic features allowing it to withstand strong winds without collapsing. Though it defies the classic circular design of most umbrellas, the fact that it sticks out the back means that it provides better protection as well.
Of course, like its Egyptian ancestors, modern umbrellas are not only practical, they can also be fashion accessories, as evidenced by the plethora of colors, features and designs available. So the next time you unfold your rain umbrella, you may want to take a second and imagine yourself as Nefertiti on the banks of the Nile.
Today, a rain umbrella is an indispensable necessity for any urban dweller with the sense to get out of the rain. One great way to find a rain umbrella is to shop online, where you can select for a large selection from the comfort of your own home.
