21. Rain or shine, umbrellas are useful. (1)
You might say that umbrellas are dripping with history.
Early Egyptian rulers used them in ceremonies. Leaders of old Japan walked under red umbrellas. They were a sign of power. (2)
The umbrellas of early times were used in warm lands as protection against the sun.
By the 1600s umpreflash had appeared in Northern Europe. In these countries they were used on rainy days, too. The umbrellas were thought to be big and clumsy. They were used only by people who didn't have carriages.
(3)
During this time many umbrellas had jewels and fancy handles made of rare woods. Some umbrellas had Hollow handles. Perfume, knives, and even pens and paper were kept in these handles.
Umbrellas were improved in the 1800s. Before that time most were made with whalebone spokes. (4)
By 1826, their weight was down to 1. 5 pounds. Steel frames were first used in 1852. Covers for these umbrellas were made of waxed silk or oiled paper.
Today's umbrellas are very light. Some people think they turn inside out too easily, but modern umbrellas do have some good points. For example, they can fold up into smaller packages.
(5)
When the rain comes down, people can pop open their umbrellas quickly and be on their way.
A. By the 1700s umbrellas had become more popular in countries such as England. B. They have been used for both kinds of weather for more than 3, 000 years. C. They weighed 10 pounds! D. The kings of Burma rode on white elephants under white umbrellas long ago. E. Some have plastic windows in them so people can see where they're walking. |