Umbrella

An umbrella (parasol or rarely parapluie) is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs that is mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. It is usually designed to protect a person against sun or rain. Initially, (in the early 1200s) they were used in warmer countries for shade from the sun, but in modern times they evolved to also be used for protection from rain. Etymologically, the term umbrella is to be used when protecting from the sun, but is also commonly used when protecting from rain. Some countries specifically use the words parasol and parapluie to differentiate based on their use. There are also combinations of parasol and parapluie that are called en-tout-cas (French for "in any case"). A modern hand-held umbrella or parasol may have a black exterior canopy and a silver inner coating, for better protection from both the sun and ultraviolet rays, and may be water-resistant. In general, umbrellas are small, handheld, personal use items. There are two main types of umbrellas: completely collapsible umbrellas, which can be folded up into a small package because of the supporting metal pole's ability to retract, and non-collapsible umbrellas, where only the canopy can be folded up. Handheld umbrellas have a type of handle which can be made from wood or plastic in a bent "crook" handle (like the handle of a cane). Umbrellas are available in a range of price and quality points, ranging from inexpensive, modest quality models sold at discount stores to expensive, finely made, designer-labeled models. Manually operated umbrellas and spring-loaded automatic umbrellas, which open with a button press, can also be distinguished from one another. Larger parasols capable of blocking the sun for several people are often used as fixed or semi-fixed devices, used with patio tables or other outdoor furniture, or as points of shade on a sunny beach.

Etymology The word umbrella evolved from the Latin umbra, meaning 'shadow' or 'shade from light' as it provided a shade from the sun. The Oxford English Dictionary records the first recorded usage in this sense in 1611. The word parasol is a combination of the Latin parare, and sol, meaning 'sun'. Parapluie (French) similarly consists of para combined with pluie, which means 'rain' (which in turn derives from pluvia, the Latin word for rain); the usage of this word was prevalent in the nineteenth century. Paraneige (French) consists of para combined with neige, which means 'snow' (which in turn derives from nix, the Latin word for snow). Hence, a parasol shields from sunlight, a parapluie shields from rain, and a paraneige shields from snow. In Britain, umbrellas were sometimes referred to as "gamps" after the character Mrs. Gamp in Charles Dickens' novel Martin Chuzzlewit as the character was well known for carrying an umbrella, although this usage is now dated or obsolete. In India the word छात्र (chhatra) has been used since ancient times. It represents, that which gives छाया (chhaya), meaning shade or shadow from the Sun. Brolly is a slang word for umbrella, used often in Australia, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Bumbershoot is a rare and fanciful Americanism from the late 19th century. An umbrella may also be called a sunshade, rainshade, snowshade, or beach umbrella (US English).

History

Africa

Ancient Egypt

The earliest known umbrellas in Ancient Egyptian art date back to the Fifth Dynasty, around 2450 BC. The umbrella is found in various shapes. Typically it is depicted as a flabellum, a fan of palm-leaves or coloured feathers fixed on a long handle, resembling those now carried behind the Pope in processions. Gardiner Wilkinson, in his work on Egypt, has an engraving of an Ethiopian princess travelling through Upper Egypt in a chariot; a kind of umbrella fastened to a stout pole rises in the centre, bearing a close affinity to what are now termed chaise umbrellas. According to Wilkinson's account, the umbrella was generally used throughout Egypt, partly as a mark of distinction, but more on account of its useful than its ornamental qualities. In some paintings on a temple wall, a parasol is held over the figure of a god carried in procession.

Ashanti Empire Zeinab Badawi in An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence states the umbrella was introduced by the Dutch to the Ashanti, when Osei Kofi Tutu I received one as a gift following his defeat of the other Akan kingdoms. Later, in 1707, Sir Dalby Thomas asked the British to supply the Asante with umbrellas. By the 1800s, the Amanhene (senior chiefs) were using large multicolored umbrellas. Umbrellas were used during festivals as streets of Kumasi were paraded with them. Like the Asantehene's umbrella bearer, the others also spin their umbrellas in tune with the music produced by drummers while accompanying their "Ohene". Umbrellas were also used to provide coolness as well as highlight the importance of the various leaders.

Americas

Mesoamerica The district of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan was reported to have used an umbrella made from feathers and gold as its pantli, an identifying marker that is the equivalent of a modern flag. The pantli was carried by the army general.

United States Beehler Umbrella Factory est. 1828 was the first umbrella manufacturing company in the United States. Francis Beehler was a woodcarver in his home country of Germany. After he immigrated to Baltimore, Maryland, he noticed a lack of umbrellas. Americans generally scorned the devices for their "ridiculous effeminacy". Nevertheless he used his talents in making wooden poles and whale bone ribbed umbrellas to create a new market (steel rib designs would not appear until after 1852). Beehler's success attracted competitors. Baltimore was long recognized as the umbrella capital of the country; at the industry's peak in 1920 there were seven umbrella companies in the city producing millions of umbrellas annually.

Asia

Ancient Near East

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