Evolving Use of the Umbrella
No Longer a Woman’s Shade, an Umbrella Protects all from the Rain
© Jim Rada
An umbrella, the inexpensive shield from the rain, was once considered too feminine for men to use.
“When they began to be carried, even a gentleman accompanied by a lady, under the shelter of the new-fangled rain protector, were hooted as they passed along; while a gentleman alone carrying one was certain to be attacked with cries of ‘Frenchman! Frenchman! Why don’t you call a coach?’ and other more offensive salutations,” according to an article in a July 8, 1871 issue of the Catoctin Clarion.
Men Using Umbrellas
Jonas Hanway, a philanthropist, is considered the first man to carry an umbrella through the streets of London. Hanway had seen the umbrella used during his travels in Persia and saw the benefits were great enough to endure the scorn. At the time, this act would have been much like a man carriying a purse or wearing lipstick in public today.
When Hanway died in 1786, he was remembered for his philanthropic acts, but he was also called a “valuable example of moral courage” for his simple act of using an umbrella to keep the sun and rain off of him, according to the Catoctin Clarion.
Europeans Use of Umbrellas
An Catoctin Clarion noted, “that is only within the lifetime of persons now living that this almost indispensable protection from the mists and rain has become generally adopted.”
Prior to that umbrellas tended to be kept in mansions near the door where they could be used to protect ladies from sun and rain as they moved from the house to the carriage. Beginning in Queen Anne’s reign, umbrellas began to be seen in coffeehouses to be used for protection from the rain for female patrons.
Otherwise when it rained, people scurried for cover. Some men might be able to cover their heads with their coats. The use of the coats in place of umbrellas helped slow men’s acceptance of umbrellas.
As they began to move into general use, hackney coachmen opposed them because having someone be able to protect himself from the rain took business from the coachmen.
History of the Umbrella
Though the use as a rain protector is relatively recent, umbrellas have been around for millennia.
Egyptians used umbrellas as a sign of authority. Servants held the umbrellas over the heads of nobles to show they had more authority.
Ancient Greeks used the umbrella for shade.
The Chines waterproofed their umbrellas and were the first to use them for rain protection.
Its use spread throughout Asia and Africa and then into Europe.
Characteristics of an Umbrella
Early English umbrellas were made of oiled silk with a wood or whalebone frame. While water resistant, when wet, the umbrellas were heavy (weighing 10 pounds) and difficult to open and close. A combination of silk and gingham eventually made the umbrellas lighter and easier to operate.
Samuel Sheffield invented the steel frame for an umbrella in 1852.
