The most common associations with England have always been rain, umbrellas, and tea, right? But have they always? And who is to blame for the cliché of the English gentleman with the folded umbrella? Read on to find out.

If you look at the proper meaning of the word umbrella1, you'll find that they were originally used to protect from the sun. We'll therefore have to have a look at the history of the parasol first.

But what about the Umbrella?

While parasols had developed to light, colourful devices, the first umbrellas were quite on the heavy, dark side. Being made of wood or fish bone staves covered with oiled canvas or oiled silk, not only were they expensive, but they weighed in at a good five kg, too, so small wonder that they weren't carried with people at all times. Somewhat surprisingly, though, they were a woman's item, too. Men using umbrellas were considered to be effiminate. The gentleman of the time had to bear getting soaked in rain; a broad hat and a scarf around his shoulders being the only protection he was allowed to have, or he could take a coach. In fact, for a man holding an umbrella (except to shelter the fairer sex), indicated that he couldn't afford a coach or a servant to hold an umbrella over him.

With the invention of the invention of steel staves, umbrellas became much lighter.

Enter Jonas Hanway