Five Umbrella Facts
1. Umbrellas were invented over 2,000 years ago.
Umbrellas were most likely developed in China. But they were used in Egypt and India from very early on as well.
2. Umbrellas were originally used to block the sun.
Umbrellas were originally invented to protect important people, like royalty, from the burning rays of the sun. It wasn't until the Chinese started coating their umbrellas with wax and making them out of animal hide that they were used in rainy weather.
The word umbrella comes from the Latin umbra, which means shadow and the suffix -elle, which means little.
A parasol is a specific term for an umbrella used to block the sun. In French, para means to stop or shield and sol means sun.
The word umbrella comes from the Latin umbra, which means shadow and the suffix -elle, which means little.
A parasol is a specific term for an umbrella used to block the sun. In French, para means to stop or shield and sol means sun.
3. Umbrellas appear in many paintings.
Artists, including Pierre-August Renoir, Gustave Caillebotte, and Georges Seurat have painted umbrellas showing historically how they have been important in every day life.
4. Some umbrella handles were used to hide objects.
Umbrellas were very popular in England in the 19th century. Around that time, umbrella handles were specifically designed to have secret places to stash things like cigars, daggers, and flasks.
5. The uses for umbrellas have expanded.
Umbrellas are used in a variety of ways these days. There are doggie umbrellas, stroller umbrellas, and even umbrellas to protect your picnic food.!