![]() This changed when Persian traveller and writer Jonas Hanway used an umbrella in public for a number of decades, popularising its use amongst men. In the 1790s, the tradition of female use continued to strengthen. The umbrella emerged again in the 16th century, gaining popularity in the rainy climates of northern Europe. The poor conditions and lack of technological advancement following this meant that there was an almost-1000 year absence of the umbrella in Europe. Although the parasol had made its European debut, the fall of the Roman Empire led to its sudden departure from public use. A long journey to EuropeĪfter trade routes became more established, the Egyptian non-waterproofed parasol made its way to Greece and Italy, however they were used almost exclusively by females as males viewed them as ‘feminine’. The first waterproof parasols, or umbrellas from then onwards, failed to reach Europe due to limited international trade routes. In the 11th century BC, the early form of the umbrella was used by those who could afford such a luxurious item. In the desert-like climate, there was little need to create an umbrella through the waterproofing process. As a result, they were almost exclusively used by royalty and nobility as a symbol of wealth. These materials were extremely expensive and difficult to source. They were originally made from materials such as tree leaves and palm branches, evolving to be made from animal skins and cloth as time went on. In ancient Egypt, the first parasols appeared over 4,000 years ago, and were created to protect royalty and nobility from the sun’s harsh rays. The ancient form of the umbrella was traditionally used for protection from the sun, today referred to as a parasol. If we think of an umbrella, the first thing that would come to mind is rain however, if we look at their use through time, they weren’t always used in these conditions. The basic umbrella was invented over 4,000 years ago, its early use has links back to Egypt, Greece and China. This provides a strong link back to the early use of the parasol, providing a shadow against the sun’s powerful rays. The word ‘umbrella’ originates from the Latin term ‘umbra’, later followed by the Italian term ‘ombra’, which translates to today’s shade or shadow. We’ve travelled back through time to explore the history of the umbrella, and its journey from ancient lands to the modern world. As our twentieth birthday is approaching next year, we wanted to take a look at the history of the umbrella. Parasol was created in 2000 with the aim of helping contractors make the most of their income, whilst minimising the hassle involved with self-employment. We mention the term ‘umbrella’ quite often, however when we do, we’re not referring to the umbrella that protects you from the rain, we’re referring to an umbrella company such as ourselves.
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