Mayank Sharma
@geekybodhiMayank is a Padawan
maker with an
irrational fear of drills.
He likes to replicate
electronic builds,
and gets a kick out
of hacking everyday
objects creatively.umbrella affordable to everyone later in that century.
Leather made way for lighter textiles such as silk,
which became quite popular. These days you can find
many different types of umbrellas; some are easier to
operate, and others can double up as a walking stick.
Several hundred million of these are made in the
Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, and Zhejiang
which house over a thousand umbrella factories.
The use of the umbrella was rather unpopular in
England in the 1700s. It was thought of as a tool for a
poor man who couldn’t afford the luxury of a carriage.
It was serial philanthropist, traveller, and writer JonasHanway who helped establish the umbrella as part
of everyday Londoner’s attire around 1750, after
enduring much ridicule. The prejudice didn’t evaporate
until the 1850s. But gradually, umbrellas gained
acceptance, and stands for them became a common
item of hallway furniture.
Over time, umbrellas have unfurled their way into
many aspects of our lives, and are used for all sorts
of creative purposes. They are a popular form of
decorating exotic drinks and cocktails; the security
detail of former French President, Nicolas Sarkozy,
has also used a Kevlar-coated one as a defensive
device. Here are some less exotic, but equally
creative hacks for your portable hand canopy.ne of the oldest pieces of handheld
accessories, the umbrella was
invented over 4000 years ago
in Mesopotamia. Archaeologists
have found evidence of umbrellas
in ancient digs all over the world,
including Egypt, Greece, India, and China. The word
‘umbrella’ is Latin in origin, and means ‘shade’ – the
contraptions were originally designed to provide
protection from the sun. The rainproof versions,
made with treated paper, popped up
in China only about 1500 years
ago. The brolly made its way
into Europe thanks to
the Silk Road – it
became popular
with the Romans
as a guard against
the heat.
Back in the
day, umbrellas
used to denote
wealth and status.
History is littered with text
and drawings of kings, priests, and
high-ranking officials being accompanied
by umbrella-bearers. Not only do we carry our
own umbrellas now, but it’s also no longer
regarded as an accessory just for women, like it
was for several centuries.
Frenchman Jean Marius is often credited for
introducing the folding umbrella to Europe in 1710.
Manufacturing advancements and access to newer,
and relatively cheaper, raw materials made theO
Looking for inspiration? The brolly’s got you covered
FEATURE
Improviser’s Toolbox: Umbrella
“ The rainproof versions,
made with treated paper,
popped up in China only
about 1500 years ago “