Rainy weather will not disrupt your plans if you have a folding umbrella in your purse, which at the right time will automatically open above your head and reliably protect you from the rain.
The first mentions of umbrellas
The history of the umbrella goes back more than 3000 years. China or Egypt are considered its homeland. Initially it was considered a symbol of power, wealth and power. Only rulers and those close to royalty could have such luxury.
In the ancient world - in Asia and Africa - umbrellas were a symbol of power and high social status. And in Egypt, statues of gods were also given umbrellas. In the East, the umbrella had an important symbolic meaning, for example, the Indians believed that monkeys with huge white umbrellas were sitting on the roof of the heavenly palace.
In India, the umbrella was a symbol of greatness, power, and wealth. In Buddhism, an umbrella is one of the eight signs of happiness, protecting against bad thoughts. In Tibet, white and yellow umbrellas are a sign of spiritual greatness; they are intended for those who have devoted themselves to high service.
Umbrellas came to Japan from China about 1,500 years ago. One of the symbols of power of the Japanese emperor was a red umbrella. The ancient painted umbrella lasted in Japan until the late 1940s. Nowadays, the traditional Japanese umbrella has turned from an everyday item into an expensive work of art.
The appearance of umbrellas in Western Europe
From Asia, the umbrella came to Europe - to Ancient Greece and Rome, where it looked more like a canopy than a familiar compact product.
In Western Europe, the umbrella appeared in Italy in the 16th century, and 100 years later the umbrella was firmly established in France and was called the “parasol”.
At the beginning of the 18th century, the Frenchman Jean Marius gave the umbrella a rounded shape and a folding structure that has come down to us. The useful invention spread quickly and eventually became a welcome addition to fashion.
In England, the umbrella - as a means of protection from rain - became popular in the mid-18th century, when the famous merchant Jonas Henway introduced it into regular use and created a sensation in society. It was during this period that the distinction between sun umbrella and rain umbrella occurred, which is absolutely accurately reflected in European languages: in English, a sun umbrella is “parasol”, and a rain umbrella is “umbrella”.
An umbrella similar to the modern one appeared in the middle of the 19th century. English mechanic Samuel Fox invented and patented an umbrella with an iron frame and spokes, as well as water-repellent durable fabric and a cane-shaped handle.
This period turned out to be very productive for the invention of umbrellas. In Paris alone, about 120 types of all kinds of umbrellas saw the light. In those years, umbrellas were an integral part of a walking suit and a sign fashion trends that time. Ladies' umbrellas were elegant attributes and indispensable companions of Parisian fashionistas.
The handles of these luxurious additions to the ladies' toilet were made of bone, of expensive wood, of silver with intricate carvings, and the dome was decorated with flowers, feathers of exotic birds, all kinds of lace, ruffles and frills.
The color of the umbrella changed along with fashionable requirements: at the end of the 18th century, yellow, green or pink taffeta was preferred, later red, blue, and bright green tones predominated. At the end of the 19th century, black, brown, grey colour umbrella, corresponding to the restrained colors of a men's suit.
In Russia, the umbrella, in all likelihood, appeared under Peter the Great. Its name comes from the Dutch word “zondek”, meaning “an awning, canvas or canvas stretched over the deck of a ship to protect from sun and rain.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the umbrella became practical and convenient, and in the twenties of the last century, with the advent of fashion for tanning, the umbrella in most cases began to serve as protection from rain, losing its decorative functions.
During this time, patents were issued for original ideas umbrella designs:
Umbrella in the modern world
Nowadays, designers offer original ideas for designing umbrellas that are functional and sometimes make you smile.
Umbrella "Cage"
"Aerodynamic umbrella"
Dog umbrella
Umbrella pistol
According to their purpose, umbrellas are:
From rain - they have a dome-shaped shape and a cover made of water-repellent material, Sun protection - they have a shallow frame with a cover made of multi-colored and printed fabrics, with a color that is particularly resistant to light.
Special – beach umbrellas, umbrellas for artists and other professionals working outdoors.
An umbrella, as a fashionable and practical accessory, should complement the external image and match the overall style of clothing. Conservative colors of blue and green. gray black shades elegantly emphasize serious, business style. A tartan umbrella can liven up a formal suit.
A multi-colored umbrella suits casual and sporty styles. . In addition, such umbrellas can cheer you up in bad weather.
Also versatile, goes well with different styles clothes are umbrellas with zebra, leopard, and snake colors.
In general, when choosing an umbrella, you should be very careful about its color, since the shadow from the umbrella falling on your face cannot always present you in a favorable light.
Bright, warm-toned accessories suit pale skin:
An umbrella of cool tones: blue, blue, green is balanced by a bright blush all over the cheek. However, we should not forget that cold-toned colors are not recommended for older ladies, as they can give the skin an unhealthy look.
As for the fabric itself, nylon, polyester, rayon and pongee are used in the production of umbrellas. These fabrics are equally reliable, but on pongee and silk the colors look brighter and do not fade longer. Almost all modern types of fabric for umbrellas are reliable and have water-repellent properties. Usually, to prevent the fabric from getting wet, it is impregnated with Teflon.
Updated: 03/23/2018
A stylish and colorful garden umbrella is an indispensable attribute for suburban areas and summer cottages, as well as for cafes. Durable fabric can reliably protect all guests and residents of Moscow from sunlight.
When buying a garden umbrella for your dacha, it makes sense to pay attention to certain parameters that can be regarded as selection criteria. This is about:
This last point is important when choosing the location of the shade canopy and determining whether a base is needed that can be used as an elevation or an additional structural element for stability.
The assortment of country goods includes big choice options with different dome diameters. Manufacturers offer to buy models with side support or with mounting on the base of a rack. To securely fix the structure, special stands are used. Products can be used not only for sun protection, but also for decorating the area.
The sun umbrella, as a necessary accessory for a secular woman, appeared in the 18th century.
Then fashionistas dressed in multi-tiered skirts and massive openwork dresses, simply could not stand in the scorching heat without additional protection from the heat. And along with fans, these wonderful attributes were also used.
Today, sun umbrellas are also in great demand during the summer season. They perform the following useful functions:
The sun certainly has a beneficial effect on the body. But you shouldn’t stay on it for a long time without protection.
Doctors have confirmed that its rays contribute to the development of melanoma, which can lead to skin cancer, premature aging of the skin, and visual impairment.
Therefore, women's sun umbrellas are not only a fashionable wardrobe item, but also effective method protection during the summer months.
Sun umbrellas come in different shapes and mechanism designs, colors and materials of manufacture.
The shape of such products can be folding or in the form of a cane, long or short versions. The umbrella cane is easy to carry and can be hung on the handle without any problems. Large models of sun umbrellas create massive shade, but women can also use small mini-models for summer walks. Depending on the curvature of the spokes, the dome can be either straight or deeply convex, which creates additional protection. There are also completely straight options, where the knitting needles have no bends - this type is least susceptible to breakage.
Mechanism designs are of the following types:
The most popular are automatic sun umbrella designs.
Any type of such umbrellas consists of several parts. You should pay attention to them when purchasing.
The frame, consisting of an expandable rod and spokes, is the most vulnerable part. Steel frames are the most durable, but have a lot of weight, which reduces wearing comfort. The aluminum base is the lightest, but is highly susceptible to wear and tear. Recently, umbrella frames made of fiberglass have also been produced, which are both strong and lightweight, and when deformed, quickly return to their original position.
The handle can be curved or straight. There may be a loop at the end for easy carrying and placement of the umbrella. Handles are made of rubber, plastic, wood or metal.
The dome is the most important detail, which performs the main function of creating a shadow and determines the image of the product. After all, such an umbrella not only serves as protection, but is also a wardrobe item.
You should pay special attention to the material. Each type of umbrella fabric has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Nylon is the cheapest material. Its advantages include its thinness and lightness. There are many more disadvantages. Nylon often tears, and over time it changes its original color. Especially under the bright rays of the sun, its design and shades will fade.
Thanks to additives, polyester is more durable than nylon. Often a proportion of cotton is used in it. You can create a bright pattern from multi-colored polyester threads.
Pongee is a synthetic fabric containing Teflon. Umbrellas made from this material are the most durable and moisture resistant. They can be used for several seasons, while the fabric will retain its original color.
An openwork summer umbrella made of satin or silk will look very impressive, and thanks to high-quality natural fabrics it has the proper strength. But these materials are also susceptible to fading.
The lace summer umbrella is a traditional classic model that was used by fashionistas of the 18th century. Made from cotton-based fabrics with synthetic components. In this case, the lace can be either a complete component of the dome or sewn along the edges as decorative details.
A classic white umbrella with lace will add tenderness and attractiveness to any woman. He creates light air atmosphere. With this attribute you can appear on the beach, on a walk in the park, or on a crowded street. White color A lace umbrella not only emphasizes a certain image, but also perfectly reflects the sun's rays, which is very important in hot weather.
Umbrellas in bright colors with lace stripes along the edges look very romantic and create an appropriate image. They will be combined with colored dresses and skirts, sundresses and blouses. The main thing is to choose the appropriate color scheme.
Models of sun umbrellas with an internal image have become very popular this season. The owner of the accessory, looking up, can observe, for example, the sky with clouds or characters from famous films. This is an original solution that has become in demand even at world fashion shows.
Models with printed patterns of flowers, national ornaments or oriental motifs will add a certain flavor to your wardrobe. The choice of options for summer is very extensive.
20 April 2013, 04:12The history of the umbrella.
Today, everyone has their own umbrella, and some fashionistas have 3-4 different ones to look stylish in any situation, be it a business trip or a meeting with friends, a romantic evening or a walk with children. We are so accustomed to an umbrella that in rainy weather we prefer to wait out bad weather, even at the cost of our punctuality, than to go outside without it. So let's find out where and when the first umbrellas appeared, how popular they were and what they meant in the lives of people of that time.
Umbrellas appeared so long ago that we no longer know in which hot country it happened in Ancient Egypt, India or China. But we have reached this day beautiful legends. The Indian story tells about a very kind girl Zita, who loved to cook and do housework. But the rays of the sun scorched her so much delicate skin that no one wanted to marry her. Then the god Brahma himself decided to help her and gave her a canopy made of leaves of sacred trees and bird feathers. Since then, the sun stopped burning Zita’s face, and everyone in the area saw how beautiful she was. In China, they talk about a caring husband who came up with a “roof that is always with her” for his beloved, so that nothing would darken the joy of her walks.
The first historical mentions of umbrellas date back to the 10th-11th centuries. BC. A one and a half meter cane and knitting needles were made of bamboo, the dome itself was made of soaked paper, palm leaves or bird feathers, all of which together weighed more than two kilograms. Over time, in the East, the umbrella became a symbol of secular power and a sign of wealth, for example, the Chinese emperor had a four-tiered one, appearance, resembling a pagoda. The Indian ruler had 13 umbrellas, symbolizing the signs of the zodiac and the Sun. The King of Burma owned an umbrella with 24 domes, and all persons of royal blood bore the title “Lord of the Big Umbrella.” These are such bulky structures, strewn precious stones, were forced to carry servants for their rulers.
By the time umbrellas ended up in Ancient Greece and then Rome, they had already become available to ordinary citizens. Here umbrellas were called “umbraculum” (from “umbra” - shadow) and women, patricians and priests used them for protection from the sun. Fans took umbrellas painted in the colors of their favorite team with them to amphitheaters and chariot races. Ultimately, due to large quantities With umbrellas in the audience, it became very difficult to see anything, just like at a football match in the rain. The indignation of the fans was so great that Emperor Domitian decided to erect common sun canopies for the spectators, and the umbrella continued its journey around the world.
It came to Western Europe through Byzantium, when in the 8th century Pope Paul 1 gave an umbrella decorated with precious stones to Pepin the Short, king of the Franks. The Normans brought umbrellas to England in the 11th century. In the 15th century, the Portuguese, heading to the East Indies, loaded ships with them in order to later gift them to the kings of the native tribes. And only in the 17th century, umbrellas spread throughout Europe from France, a trendsetter, becoming exclusively a ladies' accessory. It is believed that Marie Antoinette was the first to walk with such an umbrella. Graceful, feminine, real works of art, they were now made from whalebone, silk and lace and called parasol in Parisian fashion. Interesting fact, but in Russia, despite the love for everything French, the Dutch name zonnedek, that is, canopy, took root. On March 4, 1715, the folding umbrella was invented in Paris.
In 1750, the Englishman Jonas Henway was the first to think of using an umbrella to protect himself from the rain, replacing the fabric with a denser one. His construction weighed about 5 kg, and he was ridiculed more than once by his contemporaries for using a female accessory, nevertheless Henway continued his walks through the streets of London and soon his invention was appreciated by the residents of the city. The popularity of the umbrella as a men's accessory was brought by Daniel Defoe's novel, in which Robinson Crusoe makes himself a portable sun canopy from goat skins. So men began to carry umbrellas too, and called them “Hanways” or “Robinsons”.
A century later, umbrellas began to improve. In 1852, Samuel Fox invented an umbrella with a lightweight steel frame, and in 1928, a telescopic pocket umbrella was patented by German engineer Hans Haupt. His company Knirps produced the first such umbrella in 1936. A self-folding umbrella was patented in the USA in 1969; by this time, nylon was used instead of silk, and the frame was made of polymer materials.
In our material we would like to talk about such a convenient device as an umbrella hat. What is an invention? In what cases will an accessory come to the rescue? What are the advantages of such an umbrella from the sun and rain? You will find answers to all these questions later in the article.
Such an original accessory as a sun umbrella for the head was invented at the end of the 19th century. In 1880, a man named Robert Patten, who stood out from the crowd with his many oddities and extraordinary behavior, patented a new invention that was supposed to protect the head from all sorts of influences. environment. The design was made in the form of a hat with a sloping brim and contained a mosquito net. The latter was attached to the dome of the device.
The idea for the design came to Patten during a long trip to Mexico. Soon the man moved back to his homeland in the United States. Here in Seattle, he patented his unique head umbrella and began promoting the innovation on the market. However, the innovation never received favorable reviews from a wide audience. Therefore, Robert soon switched to making and repairing ordinary umbrellas, which became his main source of income.
The fascinating story became inspiring for American animators. At one time, an animated film was created, which was called “The Umbrella Man.” The prototype of the central character in it was the inventor Robert Patten.
The head umbrella became popular only in the mid-20th century. This was facilitated by the passion for a non-standard accessory on the part of the famous American baseball player Lou Brock. The athlete loved to appear in public wearing such a protective device on his head, and was one of the few fans of the invention. In fact, Brock owned an umbrella business in the city of St. Louis. Perhaps this is what explains this person’s increased interest in the accessory.
If you are planning a walk in light rain or in hot weather, then an umbrella on your head in the form of a hat will come to your aid. Compared to the classic version, such a device will not take up much space and will fit when folded in any backpack or bag.
Umbrella hats for the head against rain and sun have a design similar to the structure of a standard umbrella with a cane. Instead of a leg, there is a mount with which the device is securely installed directly on the head. Fixation occurs due to the presence of an elastic band or strap. This mount is suitable for any head size. Supports are attached to it, which connect to the dome of the umbrella hat.
In most models, the parts are made of plastic. Thus, the device does not put any strain on the head during use. The structure folds up like a regular umbrella. Therefore, the device can be easily opened at the right time, protecting yourself from scorching sun rays or sudden rain.
The device has the following advantages:
Few inventions do not have disadvantages. Was no exception this case. The main disadvantage is the not very attractive image that a person acquires who decides to protect his head with the help of such a device. The iridescent bright colors of the dome, characteristic of umbrella hats, can give the user a ridiculous and even somewhat clownish appearance. However, this feature can become an advantage in situations where it is necessary to amuse others.
The invention has another obvious drawback. The accessory does not do a very good job of protecting against rain compared to a traditional umbrella. Therefore, during heavy precipitation there is no point in using it.
So, an umbrella hat is a multifunctional item. The device will bring undoubted benefits while working on a personal plot, while being in the field. The product will become a real lifesaver on the beach. You can protect your head with this umbrella when riding a bicycle, as well as in any situations where your hands must remain free. However, if there is heavy rain outside with gusty winds, preference should be given to a classic umbrella.
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