Take a look at the things around you, both animate and inanimate, what do you think of it? Have you sat wondering it's origin, how it all started or what prompted its existence. Well, that's me, I can't help but think about the origin, the brain behind and the process involved in the existence of a particular item. Would it be reasonable to nurture the thought that these things evolved without being invented? That would sound really numb yunno. Anyways, there's this very important but common item which has been on the records. I'm talking about UMBRELLAS.
Lets know more about umbrellas
Umbrellas are very portable devices which are created and designed to shield and cover individuals from rain and sunlight. They are made of canopy like waterproof/resistant fabric which are supported by collapsible frames(this means that they could be disentangled and set up when necessary). These frames are often made up of metals or light materials like fibre glass. The canopy is connected and duly attached to a central pole which goes along with the handle for easy movement and manipulation. Umbrellas are of different sizes, shapes, colors and designs
Serving different purposes
Apart from shielding us from rain, umbrellas serve a thousand and one other functions, what functions could these be? Let's find out:
Rain protection: The umbrella serves a primary function of shielding us from rain fall to keep us dry and comfortable during wet weather
Wind protection: Umbrellas acts as a shield against the wind acting as a protecting barrier to block guts and keep individuals more comfortable during windy conditions
Fashion accessory: Umbrellas are used in fashion industries as accessories to add further style, flair and beauty to outfits. They endeavor to fit in different personal taste and complement looks as they come in different styles, colours and patterns
Photography and film making::Umbrellas are also used as photography tools to diffuse light during photography shots, they also illuminate subjects creating softer, brighter background for images
Symbolism: Umbrellas serve a beautiful function symbolically. In most cultures, umbrellas convey different messages across to onlookers and may represent varieties of signs
Umbrellas serve many other functions like:
- Acting as a promotional tool
- Decoration usage
- Serves as a portable shelter
- Used for privacy purposes
Having acknowledged the various functions of umbrellas so far, let's get down to business, lets dig deeper into the history of umbrellas, how it all started. In one word, it's origin
The origin/history of umbrellas
The concept of shielding oneself with the aid of a device can be traced back to ancient civilization. It all started in ancient Egypt where parasols made of palm leaves or feathers were used to provide shade from the sun. Ancient Assyrians, Greeks and Romans also used umbrellas made of leaves and feathers or animal skins to provide shade and protection from the rain.
The first well noted record of umbrellas were dated back to ancient china at around 11th century BCE when early umbrellas were made using silk and waxed paper to portray nobility and royalty most especially.
The early umbrellas made its way to Europe through trade routes during the middle ages, thus its spread to the west was speedy. Meanwhile, ownership was mainly by the wealthy and rich due to the luxurious perception and views of the masses. During the 16th century, umbrellas gained popularity in Europe, especially in France and Italy becoming a very fashionable equipment in the process
In the 18th century, umbrella design and manufacturing saw significant advancements and changes. Jonas Hanway popularized the use of umbrellas for protection against rain in London.
Industrial revolution and production techniques made umbrella more accessible and affordable to the general public. Umbrella production fast forwarded to the 18th and 19th century witnessed many positive improvements which included the invention of collapsible umbrella which was made more portable for movement.
Today, we've got umbrellas on a whole different level evolving from just a simple canopy shade to a sophisticated classic accessory for protection against rain, sun, wind and other elements while reflecting changes in technology, lifestyle and fashion throughout history. If you've got an umbrella, treasure it, flaunt it and cherish it because you've got something valuable and precious
Actually, this is part of my participation in the marchinleo prompt where random participants are entitled to a free premium subscription, don't hesitate to join, besides you can get more information via one click