Here many are familiar with the image of an Anglo-Saxon gentleman, who walks in the rain while protected by an umbrella held by his servant over his head. Numerous representations, like the famous drawing of Thomas Wright "Domestic Manners of the English," portray the image of England's early seventieth century gentlemen. The famous Sherlock Holmes, who made his first public appearance in 1887, as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective character, was depicted in various media as wearing a deerstalker hat and cloak, smoking a pipe and clutching a magnifying glass. His comrade and friend Dr. John H. Watson who following and helped him during his investigating endeavors, was depicted in film holding a long and probably heavy umbrella which Holmes sometimes also used by leaning on while thinking over the facts of a case.
Originated from China, first the use of the parasol, or later referred to as the umbrella, was adopted by French and English aristocracy before becoming popular to the masses during the next two centuries. But apart from it being adopted by nobles and peasants alike, the umbrella had to overcome the problem of being considered a particularly feminine gadget.
Originated from China, first the use of the parasol, or later referred to as the umbrella, was adopted by French and English aristocracy before becoming popular to the masses during the next two centuries. But apart from it being adopted by nobles and peasants alike, the umbrella had to overcome the problem of being considered a particularly feminine gadget.