Promotional Parasols and Umbrellas
A brief history The history of the sunshade or parasoldates back thousands of years to China, Egypt and Assyria – now parts of present-day northern Iraq, south-eastern Turkey, north-western Iran and north-eastern Syria. The aim was to protect people from the sun and heat. The materials used were the natural resources that could be found locally including eucalyptus, palm branches and leaves. Parasols in Europe It wasn’t until the 16th century, during the Italian Renaissance that the parasol, or umbrella, came to Europe. The parasols were generally carried by a servant to protect the wealthy from the heat. The umbrella did not have a huge presence in Britain until the eighteenth century with the traveller Jonas Hanway credited for introducing the umbrella to London on a visit. The earliest English umbrellas were made of oiled silk and were deemed difficult to open. The ribs of the umbrella were made of whalebone which lost its elasticity when it becam...