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The umbrella is by no means a recent invention: the portable roof over your head, protecting you against rain or excessive sunshine,  has been known to mankind for thousands of years. It has been found in the art of the Greeks and Romans, as well as in Chinese art for a long time now. Nevertheless, it sank into oblivion for a very long time in Europe, for, according to legend, it was not introduced in London until 1756 by a certain Jones Hanway.
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Reactions to the “expanding roof over your head” to combat the notorious London rain ranged from amusement on the one hand, to strict rejection on the other. Hackney coachmen, for example, regarded the umbrella as unwanted competition. Even polite society was initially skeptical, as being seen with an umbrella could lead people to the conclusion that you did not own a carriage. Even so, umbrellas gradually became a permanent item, presumably due to the lack of anything more effective in terms of rainwear and because a shower could surprise anyone, even someone that owned a carriage. However, the early models were still very cumbersome and heavy. The modern shape of the umbrella is attributed to a certain Samuel Fox, who made a crucial improvement to the construction of the frame that ensured that the shape was narrow and even in a closed position. Despite its indisputably elegant shape, few gentlemen still carry a rolled walking-length umbrella around with them nowadays. Gentlemen with a form of transport, nowadays an automobile, have less need of an umbrella than users of public transport. The latter will most likely tend to carry articulated rain protection around with them. Nevertheless, many of us regularly take a walking-length umbrella when going for a walk, because it is useful as a walking stick in dry weather and it provides excellent protection in the rain. In the city, you can always find a place to shelter from the rain; on the other hand, an umbrella is often the only salvation from the rain if you are walking across a field or a spacious park. Two’s also company when you are sheltering under your umbrella for the rain to stop. |
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