The origin of the umbrella dates back at least to the 1st century in China, where the founding emperor of the Xin dynasty would have designed an articulated and removable device, acting as umbrella as well as parasol, installed on a cart on the occasion of a religious ceremony (to note indeed, the origin of the Pardelle, intended to protect the sun only, is even much further than that of the umbrella: Traces from 4000 BC.
But when was the umbrella as we know it?
Several mentions of protection devices of the umbrella type then appear in writings of the medieval era in Europe, with the waxed canvas used in place of the silk of the shades: the fate of the two devices then gradually separates.
Finally, it is a Parisian French merchant named Jean Marius who invents the “broken umbrella” in 1705, which is very similar to the umbrella as we know it today: foldable in three segments and with metal branches which folds down thanks to a hinge connected to the central mast, it can be taken everywhere in case a downpour occurs during the promenade.
The umbrella was therefore born in 1705 in France, and if it has experienced some developments and remarkable innovations since, it is clear that the version of 1705 already contained all the elements which still constitute the essence of an umbrella!
Once we have established when the umbrella was invented in its current form, it is now a question of understanding how the invention was then popularized, until it becomes a current accessory, used all over the world.
To understand the popularization of this accessory in the form that we know today, it is important to return to the invention of the umbrella by Jean Marius in 1705. Five years after this invention, in 1710 therefore, the Parisian merchant obtained a royal privilege, which allowed him to have a monopoly on the manufacture of this object, for a period of five years. From this time, the “Parasol-Parapluye Broken” by Jean Marius became a prized accessory rather by the nobility of court, which thus completes its range of accessories ensuring it to remain chic in all circumstances. At the end of the five years of privilege, other craftsmen will undertake to make umbrellas, without really moving away from the model invented by Jean Marius.
If we know thanks to the archive documents of the Court when the marius -style umbrella was invented , it is more complicated to trace the evolution of its popularity. However, it can be established that at the origin, the umbrella was first adopted by women, rather from the nobility, as an accessory intended to protect them from the rain. But in the 18th century, the English gentlemen in turn seized it, until the umbrella for men is again imposed ... in France, where he even became a fashion accessory during the period of the Revolution.
Do you know telescopic umbrella was invented And do you know that in the 19th century, the umbrellas were equipped with a wide range of accessories of all kinds, intended to increase their personalization? Watch, tobacco pocket, light, but also padlock or alarm intended to prevent their flight: the umbrella then becomes a full -fledged component of ordinary city equipment, as much as a fashion accessory which reveals something of the personality of the one who carries it.
Finally, the 20th century sees the most recent innovations in technical matters appear: nylon replaces the waxed canvas, telescopic sleeves appear, and whales are becoming foldable. Since 1986, the Maison Le Parapluie de Cherbourg has been proud to continue writing the history of the umbrella manufactured in France, and intends to continue to do so for many years!
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