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In 1750, an Englishman named Jonah Hanway decided to carry an umbrella everywhere he went. This was unheard of. Only women carried umbrellas. Because of this, he became the subject of much ridicule, but at least he was dry. -
Only women carried umbrellas. Hanway carried his umbrella for 30 years. By the late 1700s however, it became more acceptable for men to carry "hanways." -
In 1852, Samuel Fox invented the steel ribbed kind that we see today. Since then, they have evolved. We now have umbrellas for the rain and sun. We use them on the beach, while playing golf, and on our patios and decks.