History of Umbrellas

The earliest reference of umbrellas dates as far back as 2450 BC where it was depicted in Ancient Egyption art. Most commonly in this art, it was depicted as a flabellum, coloured feathers or palm leaves affixed to a long handle.

Umbrellas were found predominantly in 2000 bc where the elites used them as a symbol of status. They are believed to have been originally crafted from bamboo sticks with animal skin stretched across them, they later became the product of silk which I'm sure was a much less disgusting experience. At their origin, umbrellas were not used for rain protection, but shade from the sun.

Chinese innovation lead to the evolution of the umbrella to focus not just on sun pretection, but also a shield from the rain. They applied oil and wax to paper, creating a waterproof canopy. It also included a collapssible design, leading to a more portible and practical product.

The umbrella was viewed as a feminine product- looks like toxic masculinity hasn't evolved much since- and therefore owned and used mainly by women. Men who did use them would be subject to ridicule.

1750, the Englishman Jonas Hanway- a merchant, writer and philanthropist- popularised the umbrella as an item for all to use, as despite the teasing, he carried an umbrella everywhere he went, to the detriment of the coachmen of england who profited from little insecure men who took cabs on rainy days because they were fat babies who couldn't possibly hold somewhing to shield them from the rain because a stick with fabric on top is too girlypop. Due to Jonas being a little legend and trendsetter, Hanway actually became an alternative word for umbrella in the late 1700's, early 1800's.

Due to Jonas Hanway and other notable figures- who I will not note- the umbrella gradually ceased to be something men were too insecure to use and in the 1900's, they bacame a common accessory amongst wealthy men and contained specially designed handles which would conceal flasks, daggers, small pads and pencils and other items (though not all at the same time).