Untitled Document
 Why
Did People Invent the Umbrella?
The umbrella was invented over 4,000 years ago.
We can see umbrellas in the ancient art and artifacts of Egypt, Assyria, Greece and China. But a long time ago, people didn't
use the umbrella on rainy days. At first, it was designed
to keep the sun off people.
The word "umbrella" comes from the Latin word "umbra,"
which means shade or shadow. In ancient Greece
and Rome, men didn't use the
umbrella. They believed umbrellas were only for women.
When Did Men Start Using the Umbrella?
 The
umbrella became popular in Europe in 16th Century. This was because
it was useful in the rainy weather of northern Europe.
But at first, men didn't use the umbrella because they thought it
was an accessory for women. However,
a man from Persia named Jonas Hanway (1712-1786)
started using it in England for 30 years. Then, other men started
using it, too. At that time, English gentlemen
often called their umbrellas
a "Hanway." 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.
The first umbrella shop opened in 1830 in England, and it was called
"James Smith and Sons." The shop still located at 53 New Oxford
St. in London. Many people believe England was the first country in
Europe where people used umbrellas on rainy days. But the Chinese
were the first people in the world who used umbrellas against the rain. The collapsible umbrella is said
to have been invented in ancient China about 1,700 years ago.
The Umbrella Was a Sign of Royalty!
Today, the umbrella is a very common object. But a long time ago,
it was a sign of royalty or importance! This means only
important people like kings
and queens could use the umbrella. In Africa, some tribes still use umbrellas
in this way. Someone carries
an umbrella and walks behind the king or important
person. Also, in Mexico, only the Aztec kings could use umbrellas.
On the east coast of North America, only
Native American princes carried umbrellas. |
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