Every year on 10th February we honor this ever useful, ever fashionable and essential item by celebrating umbrella day
Everyone is familiar with the sight of an umbrella. They’re present whether you live in the hottest of climates or the coldest and wettest.
They’re there to keep you dry on a rainy day
And to protect you from sunburn on a hot, sunny day
A brief history
The word “umbrella” comes from the Latin root word “umbra”, meaning shade or shadow. Brolly is a slang word for umbrella, often used in Britain, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
Parasols were used to offer shade from the sun more than 3,000 years ago in Egypt
It was the Chinese that first waterproofed umbrellas. They waxed and lacquered their paper parasols to protect them from rain.
They were mainly used as a woman’s accessory, until mid-18th Century, when English traveller Jonas Hanway bucked the trend. Despite initial mockery, other men began to use them.
The first umbrella shops was called “James Smith and Sons”. The shop opened in 1830 and is still located at 53 New Oxford Street, London, England.
Nowadays umbrellas come in all shapes, sizes and colours and are used in many creative ways…
A colourful and attractive way to shade a sunny street
The largest umbrella in the world is in China, Gansu Province, a safety feature to protect the roads and vehicles from bad weather.
There are umbrellas for those times when you don’t have your hands free to hold the traditional style.
One for the camera
One for cyclists
The hands free backpack umbrella
Keep your pet happy and dry in rain, sleet or snow!
Umbrella hat
A great way of protecting yourself form the harmful rays of the sun
Film fame
Umbrellas have been featured in many motion pictures, most notably Singing in the Rain (1952) and Mary Poppins (1964)
Umbrella gone wild
That fun moment when the wind blows and turns your umbrella inside out!
Here’s one you’ll never have to wrestle with on a windy day
The helmet umbrella
How will you celebrate?
Go out and splurge on a new umbrella! For those of you who live in Fethiye, preferably one that you can use in the sun!
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