Books: Umbrellas and their History
W >>
William Sangster >> Umbrellas and their History
The "Encyclopedic Méthodique" gives some interesting particulars as
to the manufacture of Parasols and Umbrellas at the end of the
eighteenth century. From it, it appears that the ribs were
occasionally made of metal. "On étend cette couverture portative par
le moyen de quelques brins de baleine, ou de fils de cuivre ou de fer
qui la soutiennent." This is interesting, as showing that metal ribs
are not a very modern invention.
The following statement of the comparative weights and sizes of
Umbrellas was prepared by M. Farge for the French Exposition of
1849:--
Umbrellas Length of ribs. Weight,
of inches. Lb. oz.
1645 31 1/2 3 8 1/2
1740 29 1 13
1780 28 3/4 1 8 1/2
1840 27 1/2 0 13 1/4
1849 27 0 8 3/4
From 1808 to 1848, eighty patents were taken out in France for
inventions, three of importation, and forty-one for improvements in
Umbrellas.
In England, after their first introduction, the manufacture of
Umbrellas increased rapidly. The first patent is dated 1780, and was
taken up by Mark Bull for "A machine for supporting an Umbrella,
which may be fixt to any saddle or wheel'd carriage, being far more
compleat than any hitherto invented." The invention is described in
the following words :--
"There is a ball and socket of steel or iron, or any other metal or
composition. The ball moves in any direction, and is fixed by one,
two, three, or more points, which are forced against it either by a
screw or spring, The ball is made with small cavities to receive the
points which press against it. In order to secure it the more
effectually in the ball, there is a hole which receives the one end
of the staff of the umbrella, which is secured in it either by a
spring or screw, or a sliding or a spring bolt. The umbrella may be
taken away from the staff; and either put under the seat of the
saddle, or fix'd before the rider. The staff may be made whole or in
two pieces, the one to slide within the other, in order to raise or
lower the umbrella, and be fix'd either by a spring or screw. They
are fix'd in the head of the saddle and cover'd by a top, without
making the saddle appear in the least different to what they are now
made."
The next is of the date of 1786, and was taken out by John Beale for
"An umbrella with joints, flat springs, and stops, worm springs and
bolts, slip bolts, screws, slip rivet, and cross stop and square
slips, and the manner in which the same are performed is particularly
described in the several plans, figures, or drawings annexed." The
drawings referred to are not easily intelligible, from the briefness
of the explanation attached, but show an Umbrella with a jointed
handle, opening by a spring.
In the next year (1787) we find an advertisement put out by Thomas
Folgham, of Cheapside, stating that he has "a great assortment of his
much-approved pocket and portable umbrellas, which for lightness,
elegance, and strength, far exceed anything of the kind ever imported
or manufactured in this kingdom. All kinds of common umbrellas
prepared in a particular way, that will never stick together."
A description of the Umbrellas which, in all probability, Mr. Thomas
Folgham made, we extract from the source mentioned above.
"The early Umbrellas were made of oiled silk, or glazed cotton
cloth, and were very cumbrous and inconvenient. To judge from a
picture of Hanway, and from the other old pictures mentioned above,
they were small, with a very long handle. They were not used for
walking, and consequently instead of the ferrule had a ring at the
top, by which they were hung up. The stretchers were of cane, and the
ribs of cane or whalebone. Instead of the present top-notch and
runner, both ribs and stretchers were simply strung on a ring of
wire, and the inequality of the friction and the weakness of such an
arrangement cause the Umbrella to be always getting out of order. The
ribs and stretchers were jointed together very roughly, by a pin
passing through the rib, on which the forked end of the stretcher
hinged. The first improvement in this respect was by Caney (patent
No. 5761, A.D. 1829), who invented a top-notch and runner in which
each rib or stretcher has a separate hinge. The top-notch was made of
a notched wheel or disc, into each slot of which an axis fixed on the
top of the stretchers worked. The runner was made on a similar
principle. At the point of the rib where the stretcher joined it,
Caney fixed a middle bit, consisting of a small fork, in which the
end of the stretcher was hinged. This construction was much stronger,
and the forked ends of the stretchers were thus prevented from
wearing out the cover, as before. With modifications, more or less
important, this construction is the same as that now in general use."
The principal object of all those who have devoted their attention
to the task has been to reduce the weight of the Umbrella without, at
the same time, diminishing its strength. In its primitive form the
ribs were formed of whalebone, which possessed very grave
inconveniences; in the first place, it was cumbersome to a degree,
lost its elasticity after any continuous exposure to rain, and if
dried without very great care, was extremely liable to crack. In the
next place, the price was very high, and, consequently, the masses
remained unrepresented in the Umbrella market. The most important
improvement dates from the introduction of steel instead of
whalebone, which took place about thirty years ago, for although a
few Umbrellas were occasionally made and used of this material prior
to that time, it had not come into general use. Amongst other
improvements have been the following:--
The tips are now made in one piece with the rib, instead of being
made of bone, japanned metal or other material, and then fastened on.
The long six-inch runners have given way to the short one two inches
long, and the ferrules are also much shorter than formerly. To keep
the Umbrella closed the old-fashioned plan was a ring fastened by a
string. A tape and cotton superseded this, and in its turn gave way
to the elastic now in use. Sliding caps to fit over the ends of the
ribs and hold the Umbrella closed, have been invented, but until
quite recently do not seem to have come much into use.
Simple as the construction of an Umbrella may appear, there have
been altogether upwards of three hundred patents taken out for
various improvements in their manufacture, in addition to numerous
alterations which have been registered according to the Act, Vic. 6
& 7, Cap. 65. With very few exceptions the inventors have not been
repaid the cost of their patents. This has arisen, partly from the
delicacy of their mechanical construction, unfitted for the rough
usage to which Umbrellas are exposed; but chiefly in consequence of
the increased cost of manufacture not being compensated by the
improvements effected.
The introduction of steel vice whalebone, was opposed by the trade
and the public in general, like many other great improvements; and it
required several years in order to convince purchasers that steel
would not only last much longer than whalebone, but would not be so
liable to break, provided it was properly made and tempered. The
misfortune was that, at the outset, a great number of inferior
articles were introduced, and consequently the public naturally lost
confidence, and it demanded great exertions on the part of the more
respectable members of the trade, ere the merits of the new invention
were recognised. At present, it is generally allowed that a good
steel-rib Umbrella can be as easily procured as a carefully tempered
razor or sword.
A Swiss watch-spring maker, named Sanguinede, had discovered a
secret of tempering steel which gave it great strength, and he had
made some, very light umbrellas, but they were immensely dear. On his
death the secret died with him, and Mr. Fox set to work to discover a
method which should combine strength and lightness.
Mr. Fox's Paragon frame, simple in its construction, half the weight
of whalebone, but equally strong, is admitted to be the greatest
improvement yet introduced in the manufacture of an Umbrella. The
ribs are made in the form of a trough with flat sides, by which shape
the greatest amount of strength is obtained. The same principle, as
is well known, has been successfully applied in the construction of
the Great Tubular Bridge over the Menai Straits, from which Mr. Fox
took the idea.
The weight of the Umbrella having been thus reduced, the next
question was, whether some amendment could not be made in the
covering material. For a long time, Umbrellas were only covered with
two materials--silk and cotton, and the want of some substance, which
would resist the greater friction and consequent wear than an
Umbrella invariably undergoes, formed a subject of anxious attention
to the writer of this little book. Several materials were tried
without success, until a fabric called Alpaca, made of the wool of
the Chilian and Peruvian sheep, presented itself, and for this a
patent was immediately taken out. Of its merits it becomes us not to
speak, but we may be permitted to quote the following remarks from
the Grand Jury Report of the Great Exhibition of 1851:--
"SANGSTER, WILLIAM AND JOHN. Prize Medal for Silk Parasols and
Umbrellas of excellent quality, 'and for their application of Alpaca
cloth to the coverings of Parasols and Umbrellas."
To the above flattering testimonial the following remarks were
appended:--
"Alpaca cloth is made of undyed wool of the Peruvian and Chili
sheep, and it is therefore is not liable to fade, nor is it acted
upon by salt water; hence Alpaca Parasols and Umbrellas are much used
at watering-places.
"The demand for the Paragon Umbrella is so great, that the patentee
is able to supply them at a price not much exceeding the ordinary
sorts. The frames are guaranteed for two years, but in consequence of
the superior quality of the article, the number found to require
repair is much less than the average of other kinds. In the course of
the two years succeeding their introduction, upwards of 50,000
Paragon Umbrellas mere sold.
"Nor was the progress of the Alpaca Umbrella less cheering. Though
the material is in some respects inferior to silk, it has been found
to wear so much longer, and to cost so much less, that its use is now
becoming general among that numerous class with whom economy and an
Umbrella are equally indispensable. The sale of Alpaca Umbrellas, in
the year 1854, amounted to upwards of 45,000."
Since this time W. & J. S. have sold, under their patent, Umbrellas
to the number of nearly four millions.
These facts we will leave to our readers to draw their own inference
from; but the very kind reception which the Alpaca Umbrellas have
hitherto received, justifies us in asserting, that no material has
yet been brought forward which has so thoroughly fulfilled the
required conditions. The weight of the Umbrella has also been
diminished, and, last not least, the price has decreased in a
corresponding ratio. This latter fact is of the very greatest
importance, when we remember the immense quantity of Parasols and
Umbrellas manufactured during the year in London, and estimated at
the enormous value of 500,000 Pounds. In addition, a very great
number are made in Manchester and Birmingham.
To those who wish to keep their Umbrellas safe and sound, we may
commend the following extract from Cassell's _Household Guide_:--
"Umbrellas are articles which generally suffer more from careless
treatment than from legitimate wear and tear; an Umbrella, when
properly treated, will last twice as long as one that is not so used.
When wet, an Umbrella should neither be distended to dry, which will
strain the ribs and covering, and prevent its ever afterwards folding
up neatly, nor at once rolled and tied up, which would tend to rust
the frame and rot the textile fabric; neither should it, if of silk,
be carelessly thrust into an Umbrella-stand, nor allowed to rest
against a wall, which would probably discolour, and certainly crease
the silk injuriously. It should be shut, but not tied up, and hung
from the handle, with the point downwards, till it is nearly, but not
quite dry. It should then be neatly and carefully rolled up and tied.
In walking with an Umbrella, the hands should be confined to the
handle, and not allowed to grasp the silk; otherwise that portion
which is held will become greased and discoloured, and the material
will be frayed out round the tips, which are points where there is
always much stress, and where if will always have a tendency to give
way. When not in use, the Umbrella should be protected from dust and
injury of any kind by its silk or oilcloth case. When dirty, alpaca
umbrellas are best cleaned with a clothes-brush; but brushing is
useless for those of silk. Ordinary dirt may be removed from a silk
umbrella by means of a clean sponge and cold water, or if the soil
should be so tenacious that this will not remove it, a piece of linen
rag, dipped in spirits of wine or unsweetened gin, will generally
effect the desired end."
Having thus given our readers all the information on the subject in
our power; even down to the last quoted paragraph, which may teach
them how to preserve their Umbrellas, we may wish them a hearty
farewell, hoping they may--long live to use these promoters of
comfort and of health, and that they may always be as well shielded
by fate from the metaphorical tempests of life, as they are from its
physical storms by a good modern Umbrella.
FINIS