Friday 26 February 2010

Umbrella


The word umbrella is from the Latin word umbra, which in turn derives from the Ancient Greek. Its meaning is shade or shadow.
An umbrella or parasol (also called a brolly, rainshade, sunshade, gamp or bumbershoot) is a canopy designed to protect against rain or sunlight. The term parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun, and umbrella refers to a device more suited to protect from rain. Umbrellas are almost exclusively hand-held portable devices and can be held as fashion accessories.
What is the origin of the umbrella?
The earliest known was that of Mesopotamia, 3400 years ago. In Mesopotamia, a region of modern Iraq, 3400 years ago there were already devices that protect the heads of kings - from the sun, not from the rain, a rarity in that place. As the flaps were made of palm leaves, feathers and papyrus .. In Egypt, acquired religious significance and Greece and Rome were taken as an article of women. Only in the eighteenth century the obstinacy of the English merchant Jonas Hanway, a lover of umbrellas could make them well worthy of a gentleman. Although ridiculed in life, after his death in 1786, the British have to hit the streets armed with the enhancement in the days when frequent rains in the country.
By: Tânia

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