An umbrella is a device that protects us from rain, wind or hot sun rays. It is a structure with a handle, frame and spokes, which are covered with a water-repellent fabric called a dome. This design was invented many centuries ago, but it has survived to this day almost unchanged. Only a special mechanism has been added to make opening and closing the umbrella easier.
The birthplace of this accessory is China and Egypt. Here he appeared in the 11th century BC. e. At that time, an umbrella was a luxury item, and therefore ordinary residents saw it only in the hands of pharaohs, emperors, and gentlemen close to the top officials. The size of the zone was impressive: it was at least one and a half meters high and weighed about 2 kg.
India in ancient times also became famous as a country in which respect for noble nobles and strong rulers was unlimited. Here, our hero was considered an obligatory attribute of power and might, and therefore the servants accompanying their master carried 13 umbrellas behind him (one of them symbolized the sun, and the other 12 - the signs of the zodiac).
In Europe, this accessory also enjoyed special respect.In the Middle Ages, it was popular among Roman emperors and Sicilian kings, and from the end of the 13th century, the umbrella became an attribute of Catholic power and symbolized the power of the Pope.
The attitude of the French towards him is interesting. In the 17th century, the word “parasol” (literally “against the sun”) entered the vocabulary of citizens. The upper part of such an umbrella was made of wax-impregnated material, and the cane and frame were made of bone. It was a fashion accessory that ladies “walked”, shielding themselves from the sun on hot summer days. In 1715, a significant event took place in Paris: the world saw the first folding umbrella.
By the way! Initially, the function of an umbrella was solely to protect against sunlight. Only in 1750 in England, the merchant Jonas Hanway thought of using it to shelter from heavy rain. However, they stopped hiding from the sun only in the 30s of the twentieth century, when tanned, bronze-colored skin came into fashion.
When choosing an umbrella, it is important to pay attention to the materials from which it is made. For example, the frame and spokes are made of steel, aluminum and fiberglass. The last option is considered the most reliable when it comes to the “cane” model. For a folding umbrella, the best solution would be a combined frame made of steel and aluminum.
Knitting needles are an important element. Their number may vary. Standard umbrellas consist of 8-16 spokes. But sometimes there are models with 6 or 32 of them.
The ideal handle is one that is made of plastic and protected with anti-slip rubber coating.
The dome is made of polyester. It repels water well and looks presentable. Sometimes nylon is used instead of polyester. However, it is cheaper and of poor quality, so it will quickly lose color and may shrink after drying.
Another material is pongee. This is also synthetic, but a good one, looking like soft cotton or silk. The pongee does not absorb water at all, drops roll down the canopy, and the umbrella itself dries instantly even after a walk in the pouring rain.
Nowadays, there are so many umbrellas that have not been invented. So, they come in women's, men's and children's sizes (the differences lie in colors and sizes).
Depending on the type of folding, there are mechanical (fully manual system), semi-automatic (opening with a button) and automatic (using a button you can both open and close) umbrellas.
The country of origin is also important. Japanese and European products are considered to be of the highest quality. Russian and Chinese are worse, but even among them you can find a good model.