National Umbrella Day (February 10)

One weird holiday on February 10 is National Umbrella Day. Check out the other weird February holidays!

History of National Umbrella Day

Umbrellas have been around for centuries (as long as 4,000 years ago!), but they were usually only used by nobility and royalty. Umbrellas have been discovered in China, Nineveh, Persepolis, Ancient Egypt, and Greece,

The oldest recorded umbrella appeared in 21 AD, in Ancient China, but this was the first recorded umbrella that could collapse smaller. The discovery of Qin Shihuang’s tomb (which dates back to 210 BC) revealed a terracotta army carriage, which had a permanently open umbrella attached to it.

The word umbrella comes from the Latin word umbra, which means shadow or shade. They were initially used to protect people from the sun, not the rain.

The Chinese were the first to invent paper parasols covered in a layer of wax, then a layer of lacquer, that made the coverings waterproof.

In the 18th century, parasols and umbrellas began to play a large roll in women’s fashion, especially in Great Britain. One of the first umbrella shops opened in 1830 on 53 New Oxford Street in London, England. The store was operated by James Smith and Sons, and it still operates today.

By the end of the 19th century, umbrellas were a common household staple for everyone to use. The first Londoner to carry an umbrella was Englishman Jonas Hanway, and he started a trend for men to begin using them as an accessory.

Smaller pocket umbrellas were invented in 1928 by Hans Haupts. Other names for umbrellas over the years include Brolly and Bumbershoot. The gaelic word for umbrella is “scath fearthainne” and means “rain shadow.”

Umbrellas have played a role in art and movies, such as Singing in the Rain (1952) and Mary Poppins (1964). They also are featured in songs, like Rihanna’s Umbrella.

In 1969, Bradford E. Phillips patented his working folding umbrella. He was the owner of Totes Incorporated, located in Loveland, Ohio.