Umbrellas

The first recorded use of an umbrella is over 3500 years ago, in Ancient Egypt. What started out as simple configurations of palm leaves attached to a stick to provide mobile protection from the sun, evolved into an object used by nobles, religious leaders and royalty as a Status Symbol. Several hieroglyphs have been found depicting these, and making use of the parasol to show which are the higher rank, kind of like saints with their halos in more modern pictures and stained-glass windows.

The parasol didn’t become waterproof until 11th century BC China, when they started using silk. To continue to showcase power, they added more tiers, with the Chinese Emperor having four, very elaborate, tiers.

Eventually, the umbrella made it’s way to Greece and Rome, where it was viewed as a luxurious female accessory. These umbrellas, however, could open and close, and were often varied by slaves and servants.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, umbrellas wouldn’t be seen again in Europe until the late 16th century.