Let’s have a look at the essential umbrella parts and how they are manufactured today:

The pole

The modern umbrellas are still manufactured in a semi -automatic mode. The first think that needs to be done is to create the pole. The most common materials used for the pole construction are steel, wood, aluminium and, in some cases, plastic or fiberglass. The selection of the materials and the quality control are carried out during the production process. Although a well made umbrella isn’t necessarily expensive, the quality of the materials, that obviously affect the price of the umbrella, play a major part. What also matters is the size of the umbrella. An individual umbrella is definitely more affordable compared to a beach umbrella regardless of what material is made of.

The structure and the lateral parts

When it comes to individual umbrellas, the structure, as well as the lateral and folding parts, are mainly made of steel or aluminium in U shape. They are then jointed with the tube and with each other, while springs are placed on the tube in order for the umbrella to open and close. The construction and the mechanism of the portable umbrellas are also similar. But thinks are way different when it comes to heavy duty straw umbrellas, like those we meet at beach bars and hotels. Here, the metallic galvanized structure is jointed with the pole via metallic, wind resistant, support ribs. The structure functions as a base for the tropical canopy.

The canopy

When it comes to aluminium umbrellas, the canopy is sewn by hand on the metallic parts. The standard aluminium umbrella consists of 8 parts of fabric, although some consist of only six .The fabric used for the canopy is usually synthetic polyester or PVC, equipped with an acrylic layer at the lower part.

Regarding the tropical umbrellas, the canopy is usually made of straw cane or wicker. These materials offer great protection from the sun, in comparison to any synthetic material. Another great advantage, is that these material allow for the passing of air through the under side of the canopy, rendering the tropical umbrella extremely wind resistant, while offering a pleasurable coolness.

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One of the inventions that allowed humans to live a more comfortable way of living, was the invention of the umbrella, a product that evolved, from an accessory exclusively for the wealthy and the royals, to one of the most commonly used items of the modern world.

The umbrella has constituted a very effective medium of protection both from the rain and the sun. Whether we are talking about individual or beach umbrellas, their origin is the same.

Symbol or Royal Power

The first documented use of the umbrella as a medium of protection from the sun, was 3500 years ago in Egypt.

Initially, the umbrella was manufactured from palm tree leaves jointed together on a wood stick.

Ancient frescos reveal the broad use of the umbrella by nobles and Pharaohs. Due to the climate of Egypt and other Mesopotamia civilizations, the umbrella was used only as a medium of protection from the sun.

It was the Chinese that first used the umbrella in order to protect themselves from the rain, back in the 11 century BC. Those umbrellas were made of silk.

The use of the umbrella was spread by the Chinese emperor to the emperors of Siam and Burma, who used up to 24 umbrellas as a way to impress and demonstrate their power.

The use of the umbrella in ancient Rome and Greece

The use of the umbrella was also spread in ancient Greece and Rome, but this time it was used only by women as a luxurious accessory. In fact, the use of the umbrella by men was frowned upon, and it could only be used by them while accompanying a woman.

After the Fall of the Roman Empire the use of the umbrella discontinued for several centuries. The umbrella reemerged during the Renaissance, but was used for once more only by royals and nobles.

In Great Britain in the 1790s, the use of the umbrella by men stopped being frowned upon, and was soon spread in the middle class. During the 20th century, the umbrella went through many adjustments, which are carried out until this day.

The Beach Umbrellas

The use of the beach umbrella emerged during the 20th century.

At first, sunbathers used individual umbrellas, but over the course of time, while the field of tourism began to grow, especially during the interwar period, the scenery changed. The seaside and pool areas of the luxurious hotels in Europe and USA, got filled with big aluminium and straw umbrellas, ready to offer comfort and UV protection to the sunbathers.

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