The origins of the umbrella can be traced back more than 3,000 years to China, Egypt, and other ancient civilizations. The umbrella was first developed as protection from the Sun and was a symbol of status, held by servants over royalty and others of high rank. Feathers, leaves, paper, and silk were all used as coverings, some of which were oiled or varnished to make them waterproof. The ribs were originally made from cane, and later, whalebone, but in the 1800s, steel began to be used for the ribs and oilcloth for the covering, which made the umbrella much stronger.
Modern-day acceptance of umbrellas started to spread across Europe in the middle of the 18th century. Up until that point, umbrellas were viewed as a female fashion accessory.
The first man who publicly carried umbrella was Englishman Jonas Hanway. His influence finally introduced the umbrella to the male population of England, and soon after the entire world.
Advancements in technology, changing tastes, and use in religion all enabled umbrellas to grow and prosper, becoming one of the principal ways we protect ourselves from rain. Protection from sun with umbrellas and parasols slowly faded out from fashion, which can be contributed to the rise in popularity of hats.