Sleepy History - Umbrellas

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Starting point is 00:00:50 Visit Wayfair.ca. Wayfair, every style, every home. The umbrella is a practical accessory found in millions of households across the world. It keeps us shaded and hot summer days and it shelters us from the rain. But have you ever wondered how the umbrella first came into existence? Which materials were used to create the very first prototypes? And how did it become an embodiment of luxury? And the ultimate fashion accessory?

Starting point is 00:01:27 Tonight, we'll explore the umbrella's earliest origins and delve into design transformations and trends. We'll also discover some interesting facts, suggesting that our ancient ancestors, were more advanced than we might think. So just relax and let your mind drift as we explore a sleepy history of umbrellas. There was once a man who lived by a winding river in ancient China.

Starting point is 00:02:16 He was a hardworking man, providing for his family, a talented carpenter and inventor, and he often worked outdoors. Every day he spent time devising new ideas and creating things that would make his neighbour's lives easier. He invented sores for cutting firewood and even locks to protect their possessions. The man worked tirelessly to complete his many projects, and he would often return home at the end of each day, suffering from the effects of the sun, One day, while working, he noticed a group of children playing.

Starting point is 00:03:04 They were shielding themselves from the rain with lotus leaves. His wife, who was visiting him at work that day, suggested that he invent a head covering to shade himself and others from the elements. Inspired, the man got to work immediately, making a bamboo frame and ribs. He used cloth, stretched across the top to create a canopy. The invention was a huge success. Everyone in the small Riverside Village wanted one. News of the accessory spread to the higher echelons of society.

Starting point is 00:03:50 And later, as the idea reached other continents, it became known as the umbrella. Some historians believe that the earliest umbrellas may have emerged in ancient China around 3,500 BCE. But there are several different legends and folk stories surrounding the umbrella's origins. The tale of the children sheltering from the rain with lotus leaves is just one story. Another one involves a craftsman being given the idea by his wife. But whatever the real story, the umbrella became a welcome accessory in society, and it quickly gained popularity with those in high standing. The earliest umbrellas were called Guy in the Chinese language,

Starting point is 00:04:52 which means lid or cover. The frames and ribs were made with bamboo sticks or mulberry bark, while the canopies were generally made of silk, cloth or paper. The paper was usually waxed and lacquered, as this helped with waterproofing. This advancement was important, as umbrellas were frequently used during ceremonies. They were mounted to the tops of imperial carriages to shade the people being transported. Evidence of this was discovered in the 1980s, when an ancient artifact, which became known as the Chin bronze chariot was unearthed in China. It is said to date back to around 210 BCE.

Starting point is 00:05:53 The impressive model carriage is being drawn by four horses, with a large umbrella positioned above the driver's head. This device was remarkably sophisticated, with a flexible handle that could be rotated. Umbrellas also had their own hierarchical status. During the Han Dynasty, between 206 BCE and 220 CE, they were manufactured in different sizes, colours and materials, all of which had special meanings. Umbrellas, much like the colours of roof tiles at the time, became an indicator of rank and social status. Common folks were only permitted to walk around carrying blue umbrellas. while red and yellow ones were reserved for royalty.

Starting point is 00:06:56 The finest umbrellas were said to come from Hunon or Fujian, as both areas were renowned for their craftsmanship and vibrant patterns. Fujio paper umbrellas had to be made from bamboo that was at least five years old to maintain elasticity. And before the umbrella was deemed fit for use, There were more than 80 individual processes to undertake. The paper covers were hand-painted with flowers and birds, or Chinese landscapes, before being coated with a wood oil glaze known as tongue oil.

Starting point is 00:07:43 The oil was extracted from the seeds of the tongue tree, and it helped with durability, while bringing out the natural grain and color of the wood. Interestingly, there is also evidence to suggest that umbrellas crafted in ancient China could slide and close. A feat of engineering that wasn't discovered and patented until centuries later in Europe and the United States. The early Chinese inventors were thought to have used bronze castings and locking slides to facilitate the action. as ancient examples were discovered in the Luoy Yang region. Their existence suggests that collapsible umbrellas may have existed as early as the 6th century BCE. By the first century CE, they certainly seemed to have been in use.

Starting point is 00:08:49 A collapsible umbrella was discovered in the tomb of a Han official. Across the water from China, on the islands of Japan, it's thought that the umbrella has been in use since the 9th century CE. Some of the earliest models were known as Kinugasa. They were initially made from silk to shade aristocracy from the sun rather than the rain. The Japanese saw the Kinugasa as a means of protection that could ward off evil spirits, in addition to being a symbol of power and authority. This device later evolved into the Wagasa, a type of umbrella traditionally made from

Starting point is 00:09:43 washi paper. This is the same paper-making tradition from which origami paper is also derived. In Tibet and India, a ceremonial umbrella was known as a Chhatra. It was a holy symbol in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. It represented the power and righteousness of royalty, and in some Buddhist traditions, it is still considered a holy auspicious symbol. On the top of Buddhist stupas, one can see umbrella-shaped structures, an architectural expression of the Chattra, representing divine protection. A variation of the Chhatra can also be found in Thailand. Here, it is known as the royal nine-tiered umbrella, and it is considered a sacred item, only to be used by the king.

Starting point is 00:10:54 Now, let's move west to Persia, or modern-day Iran. Here, archaeologists discovered images etched in stone, showing kings being shaded by umbrellas, which were held by servants. In neighboring Mesopotamia, now Iraq, carwereys, The carved bass reliefs and sculptures also depicted. Once again, holding and carrying the umbrella was usually the task of servants. They spent long hours in the scorching heat, shading royalty from the sun's powerful rays. As in parts of Asia, umbrellas in Mesopotamia were seen as symbols of power and divine protection.

Starting point is 00:11:50 On the African continent, in ancient Egypt, the umbrella The umbrella has existed since at least 1200 BCE, and possibly much earlier. Early Egyptian umbrellas were likely made of wood, with canopies made from palm leaves or ostrich feathers. But the umbrella was much more than just a practical sunshade. It was steeped in mythology. The ancient Egyptians believed that the sky was shaped by Newt, the goddess of the heavens,

Starting point is 00:12:27 who touched the earth only with her fingers and toes. Together with her companion shoe, she created a pattern of stars that resembled a giant umbrella in the night sky. Across the Mediterranean Sea in Greece, the umbrella became a daily accessory for women. The weather was hot, and carrying an umbrella or parasol

Starting point is 00:12:58 helped to shade delicate skin from the sun, Here, it was known as a Skia Deon, and it was associated with fashionable women of wealth and high standing. Parasols were not as popular with Greek men. They found the accessory to be feminine, and many refused to use it. However, this resistance was short-lived, as they began to see the benefits. The umbrella was used in festivals such as the Feast of Athena Skiras, where a white parasol was carried by the priestess. Early examples of the accessory have also been discovered on the Greek islands.

Starting point is 00:13:51 A collapsible umbrella found on Samos dates back to 700 BCE. It features modern mechanisms, once more proving that technology was surprisingly advanced in those times. In ancient Rome, a word similar to umbrella was used for the very very very much. first time. The object became known as the umbraculum, as umbra meant shade in Latin. The Romans created their own version of the accessory, using animal skins or leather. The frame comprised ribs that allowed the canopy to open and close, and the shaft was carved from a long stick. Umbracular seemed to have been used primarily by women as protection from the sun. While the Roman Empire fell in the 5th century CE, the umbraculum survived as a papal symbol. In a church in Rome, there's a fresco from

Starting point is 00:15:07 1248 which depicts the use of an umbraculum. The accessory played an important part in papal ceremonies over the centuries. The Pope's umbraculum was a symbol of power and authority, a lavish creation made from red and gold silk. Each one had the papal insignia of the current Pope stitched onto it. They were displayed next to main altars in basilicas throughout the world, and shown on the papal coat of arms. When the Pope visited a basilica, the umbraculum was opened,

Starting point is 00:15:57 A tradition that still occurs to this day. Once the church rises to the rank of minor basilica, it's entitled to display a red and yellow umbraculum. In Italy, umbrellas also began to appear in paintings by prominent artists. One features in a 16th century painting by Girolamo de Libre, known as the Madonna of the umbrella. The Virgin Mary is shaded by a cherub who holds a red and gold parasol. The umbrella trend expanded into Western Europe, including France.

Starting point is 00:16:47 By the early 1700s, umbrellas in France were known as paraplui, the name derived from Latin and literally translated as against rain. French umbrellas were often crafted from whalebone brink. ribs and wax-coated canvas cloth. They were heavy to carry, yet popular, and shops would rent them out on rainy days. Around the same time, a purse-maker from Paris, Jean-Marius, came up with a clever design for a compact foldable number. It would weigh a kilo or less, and come with a jointed shaft and folding ribs. His invention was elegant and practical. It soon caught the eye of King Louis the 14th. The king was so impressed that Jean Marius was awarded a royal privilege. This meant that

Starting point is 00:18:02 every umbrella in France had to carry his trademark for five years. Hundreds of inventors across France were motivated to adapt and improve their own designs. And over the following century, nearly 1,400 patents were filed. Across the English Channel, umbrellas were also becoming popular. The first recorded use of the word umbrella in the Oxford English Dictionary comes from 1609 in a letter by the poet John Dunn. but at that time, the accessory was still viewed as a foreign curiosity. It wasn't until the 18th century that the umbrella really took off in England.

Starting point is 00:18:59 However, to begin with, umbrellas were mainly used by women and much ridiculed by men. That is, until a gentleman named Jonas Hanway began walking the London streets with an umbrella. Hanway was an explorer, merchant, and writer, a well-known public figure in London during the 18th century. He was often mocked by other men for carrying an umbrella, but he persevered, refusing to bow to peer pressure, and eventually carrying an umbrella became a trend in the city. As its popularity grew, craftspeople began to pay more attention. to the designs, eager to have their umbrellas carried by London's gentry. The handles and canes were upgraded and scoped it from high-quality wood and materials like ebony. Wealthy gentlemen

Starting point is 00:20:09 commissioned their own designs, asking umbrella makers to customize them to suit their preferences. Some umbrellas even had space for concealed daggers. However, as the industry in England, England continued to grow, local business owners began to push back. Carriage drivers, who transported people from A to B on wet days, believed that if umbrellas became too widespread, city folks wouldn't use their services when it was raining, and this would greatly affect their income. But their complaints didn't affect the industry. In fact, it flourished.

Starting point is 00:21:00 the mid-1800s, Samuel Fox, a British industrialist, invented the steel-ribbed umbrella. This accessory was much lighter to carry, and the price was more affordable. A company in London saw merit in Fox's steel-ribbed frame design. A couple of decades earlier, in 1830, James Smith & Sons had opened the first shop in the world dedicated solely to selling umbrellas. They added Fox's design to their existing portfolio, and the umbrellas were so popular that they had to expand their premises. The industry as a whole was also seeing further improvements, thanks to the invention of the sewing machine. This was a game changer for umbrella manufacturers. It meant that the long and laborious process of stitching

Starting point is 00:22:06 canopies by hand would no longer be required. Umbrellas could be mass-produced quickly, which would in turn generate higher profits. Another sign of the umbrella's increasing ubiquity is its appearance in poetry. In a verse entitled Rain, the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, The rain is falling all around. It falls on field and tree.

Starting point is 00:22:40 It rains on the umbrellas here and on the ships at sea. At some point, the umbrella also acquired negative associations. The Victorians were a superstitious bunch. They believed that opening an umbrella indoors brought bad luck. It was seen as unlucky because, at the time, interior spaces were small and spring-loaded mechanisms could be unpredictable. There were many instances of broken vases or injuries caused by using an umbrella inside. By the 19th century, the umbrella had also crossed the Atlantic Ocean and found its way to American shores.

Starting point is 00:23:38 In Baltimore, the first factory opened in 1828. It was known as the Beeler umbrella factory, and it was founded by Francis Beeler, a woodcarver from Germany. When the umbrella first debuted in America, people were not overly impressed. Many thought the accessory looked ridiculous, and even effeminate. However, the introduction of more elaborate and creative designs soon had the public changing their tune. The practicality of the device also appealed. Baltimore soon became the umbrella capital not just of the nation.

Starting point is 00:24:26 but of the world. By 1920, there were seven umbrella factories in Baltimore, manufacturing millions of umbrellas each year. The punning motto of one company was, born in Baltimore, raised everywhere. Meanwhile, in Germany, the umbrella was undergoing another revolution. A man named Hans Halped suffered from a war injury. As a result, he found it difficult. to carry his walking stick and his umbrella at the same time. So, in 1928, he came up with a small, collapsible umbrella that could be carried with ease. It was so small that it could be placed inside a pocket or briefcase.

Starting point is 00:25:25 The brand was named Knurps, which meant Little Guy in German. The pocket-sized umbrella quickly became popular, and the company still exists to this day. The umbrella industry continued to thrive across the world. In the 1960s, the American business owner Bradford E. Phillips secured a patent for a folding umbrella with an improved design. By this time, nylon had become the material of choice for canopies, and aluminium and fiberglass were being used for frames.

Starting point is 00:26:07 As fashion brands were also flourishing, different styles were manufactured to coordinate with outfits. There were two, three, four and even five-fold umbrellas. Many were created for convenience to fit inside purses, handbags or glove compartments. Umbrellas were also referenced in pop culture, appearing in musicals like Singing in the Rain, and classic movies such as Mary Poppins. Televised golf was also broadcasting into households and becoming a popular sport. Golf umbrellas were seen as a way to advertise brands during tournaments.

Starting point is 00:27:01 The golf umbrella had a much larger canopy, designed to cover both the golfer and their kit during rainy day rounds. As they were bigger than average umbrellas, Fibaglass, drums and rods were secured to ensure that they were lightweight, while also being able to withstand strong winds on the golf course. Companies seeking new and innovative ways to promote their brands also looked to the umbrella. Logos and names of soft drink companies and other businesses were printed on canopies. These umbrellas were placed outside cafes, restaurants,

Starting point is 00:27:47 and on beaches. During the mass tourism boom of the late 1950s and 60s, beach umbrellas became increasingly widespread in vacation resorts worldwide. A rise in the number of charter flights had made it possible for sunseekers to reach warmer climbs in just a few hours. On sandy beaches, rows of umbrellas provided protection from the sun's rays. They were shady spaces where one could relax, read a book, or listen to music with a cocktail in hand. It was also around this time that the cocktail umbrella first appeared in drinks. The cute, decorative item was made from paper and toothpicks, while cardboard ribs allowed it to open and close. There are many theories about the origins of the cocktail umbrella. Some say it was designed to shade the ice in tropical

Starting point is 00:28:59 drinks, preventing it from melting on hot summer days. Alternatively, it may have been a clever marketing tool. Perhaps the aim was to attract women to the popular Tiki bars that had opened following the Second World War. According to some sources, a man named Don Beach invented the cocktail umbrella. He was the charismatic owner of a Tiki bar in Hollywood, who later moved to Hawaii. Beach is said to have got the idea for the cocktail umbrella from trips to the South Pacific. He later sold his merchandise to the Trader Vicks chain. Alternatively, the cocktail umbrella may have been popularized by the bartender Harry Yee. Yee, who worked at a Hilton hotel in Hawaii,

Starting point is 00:30:02 initially used orchids and then sugar cane sticks to garnish his fancy drinks. But after patrons left the remnants in Astrays, he started to garnish the drinks with paper parasols instead. So, while it was likely invented earlier, the first documented cocktail umbrella was used by Lee in 1959 in a drink called the Tapper Punch. In the US, the trend quickly took off as part of the general enthusiasm for Tiki culture at the time. These colourful little umbrellas were more than just decorations. For many Americans, they represented luxury and exoticism, the fantasy of the South Pacific. Today, paper umbrellas frequently adorn cocktails such as the Mai Tai,

Starting point is 00:31:06 the blue Hawaiian, and the Pinia Collada. To this day, umbrellas are often still associated with a sense of pride and importance. For a while, China had the world's largest umbrella, but as of 2018, that title goes to Aber Dhabi, with an umbrella that's 24.5 meters in diameter. Some of the important umbrellas that we've mentioned earlier can still be seen. At the Terracotta Army exhibit in Shian China, there's the bronze chariot with its ancient umbrella. In Bangkok, Thailand, there's the royal nine-tiered umbrella, the most sacred in the country. And in some Catholic basilicas, you can keep an eye out for the papal umbraculum. It is remarkable

Starting point is 00:32:12 that the umbrella, an accessory once made from paper, silk, feathers or palm leaves, could have evolved centuries later into so many unique designs and whole, so many meanings for different civilizations. But what does the future of the umbrella look like? New and innovative designs are emerging as we speak. Start-ups are floating the idea of flying umbrellas, futuristic drone-like devices that hover above the head, offering a hands-free solution.

Starting point is 00:32:56 Another proposal is an umbrella that uses warm air to deflect the rain without the need for a canopy at all. The question is, will advances in technology make a vast difference to the umbrella industry? Or will we loop back to the beginning again, simply re-engineering and rebranding an accessory that has already existed for thousands of years? One thing seems certain. For as long as the rain falls, we will continue to have umbrellas in one form, We will always have them at our disposal.

Starting point is 00:33:52 Come rain or shine.

Sleepy History - Umbrellas

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