††††The first known waterproof umbrella was made in 1637 for King Louis X111 of France. The first folding umbrella followed nearly a hundred years later. Although umbrellas were held over people as they walked from their doors to their carriages in the 18th century, it was not until 1750 that John Hanway, a London philanthropist, popularised the carrying of an umbrella, in spite of the protests of coachmen who saw it as a threat to their trade.
By 1820 heavy oak or cane frames were replaced by whalebone and steel ribs. In 1850 coverings of sticky oiled silk or linen were replaced by coverings of cotton and alpaca. In 1852, Samuel Fox introduced lightweight steel ribs to umbrellas, making them stronger and lighter.
Modern umbrellas have lightweight steel or plastic frames and the coverings are made of fabrics made from lightweight but waterproof artificial fibres. Many umbrellas now have a telescopic handle.
