«The Umbrella»

“A nylon tarp divided into segments, attached to struts on a long pole, and fitted with a handle to hold on to”: a simple description of an everyday object that has long since become indispensable.

Originating from the parasol, which came to the West from East Asia through commercial travelers and was modified by the Parisian merchant Jean Marius into a lighter, collapsible version, the umbrella made its way in the early 18th century into the world of French high-society women’s fashion. In England, it was long considered too feminine, so that men continued to reach instead for a waterproof hat. It would take until the mid-19th century for this useful accessory, which furnishes protection from a variety of weather conditions, to gain a foothold throughout Europe. Hans Haupt’s invention in 1934 of an extendable telescopic frame marked the birth of the pocket umbrella. This foldable and space-saving version is the one encountered most frequently today in rainy or snowy weather.