|
|
Article: Taking Umbrage At Umbrellas
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- April 18, 1988
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
|
Some people spend their time trying to unlock the secrets of the
universe or unravel the tangled threads of human relationships.
These are important subjects, and worthy of study, but I believe that
researchers are overlooking the one significant mystery that eludes
us-the mystery of the umbrella.
History reveals the umbrella had its origins far back in
antiquity. A Chinese legend holds that it was invented in the 11th
century B.C. and had 28 ribs.
In its earliest uses-according to bas-reliefs from Persepolis,
Ninevah and Ethiopia-the umbrella was a shade from the sun and was
held over a monarch. Later, in Greece and Rome, the umbrella was
used as a sunshade in the open-air theaters and ...