What are the nicest umbrellas?

Preparing for the spring-autumn period, many are wondering which umbrellas are the best? To choose a quality product, you need to know at least a little the history of the accessory and the associated operating features.

The word "umbrella" comes from the Dutch language and literally translates as "canopy from the sun." It is not known for certain in what year the umbrella was invented, however, it is customary to take the 11th century BC as a starting point.

Several countries are called the place of origin of the umbrella: China and India, as well as Egypt. In these states, this accessory was the personification of power and could only be used by the royal court. The nobility of a ruler was determined by the number of umbrellas worn by his retinue.

Over time, the fashion for umbrellas spread far beyond the borders of Asian countries, first in Greece, and only then in Rome (where they began to be used by women). From Western European countries, the umbrella first appeared in the 17th century. in France and received the name "parasol".

The main function of an umbrella is to protect its wearers from solar radiation. It was first used as a remedy for rain in the middle of the 18th century. Jonas Henway, a merchant from England. Almost two centuries later, in 1969, Brad Phillips received a patent for a folding umbrella, and a year later the American company Totes launched a new invention on the market.

Due to the fact that umbrellas were originally used as a protective agent against the scorching sun, they used to be called "sunflowers" and "sunflowers" in our country.After Peter I introduced the Dutch “zonnedek” (circa 1834) into the Russian colloquial language, the umbrella acquired its modern name.

From the point of view of the working mechanism, umbrellas can be divided into four types:

1. mechanical;
2. with semi-automatic system;
3. with automatic system;
4. double automatic machine.

The first type of umbrella - mechanical - can be considered the best. Manual opening and closing ensures ease of use as well as durability of the product.

Automatic and double automatic systems differ in that the second opens and closes by pressing a button. Both systems are inferior to the previous two due to the complexity of the design. Constant impact-pressure on the numerous joints of the spokes relatively quickly renders the mechanisms unusable.

When buying an umbrella, be sure to find out what materials it is made of. So, for example, earlier the knitting needles were made of aluminum (lightweight, easily bend and break quickly) or steel (strong, do not bend from the wind, but very heavy), but now, modern materials have replaced them. The base of the spokes today are made of carbon fiber, and their ends are made of fiberglass - these materials are considered the most durable.

Walking umbrellas are better to choose with a fiberglass frame (lightweight) or steel with a titanium coating (good wind resistance). The best option for folding umbrellas would be a frame made of different materials: the rod and spokes are made of steel or aluminum, and the ends are made of carbon fiber. A big advantage will be the presence of anti-wind springs that prevent the canopy from turning over.

The canopy of the umbrella is made of different materials.

1. nylon - attracts with its low price, long service life and ease of maintenance. However, they look cheap and rude, and the material "shrinks" after drying;
2. polyester is a common fabric for umbrella canopies. It is durable and excellent in moisture resistance. Recently, Teflon impregnation has been added to polyester. It contributes to the color change of the umbrella depending on the lighting, and the service life of the product increases to 10 years;
3. pongee is also water-repellent and dries quickly;
4. rubberized satin in its properties is similar to the two previous materials. It is also distinguished by good quality and high wear resistance.

In order for the umbrella to become not just a bright accessory, but also to perfectly fulfill its main functions (protection from rain), it is necessary to choose a good quality product. Focus on the following points.

• The structure of the umbrella is its basis. According to their design features, umbrellas are available with folding mechanisms and in the form of a cane. The first type has two or more additions.

• Thanks to this, cane umbrellas do not bend in the wind and remain the same quality even after a long time. Another plus of the cane: it covers a large arched area, due to which it protects it from precipitation more thoroughly. The disadvantages of walking sticks include their size and weight. You cannot put such an umbrella in a woman's handbag, and this leads to the risk of forgetting it somewhere.

• Umbrellas with a folding mechanism are very compact, but precisely because of their structure with many folds, they are unreliable and deteriorate quickly. Other disadvantages of folding umbrellas include a small canopy, fragile spokes that buckle from the wind, and a fragile aluminum frame.

• Knitting needles - there can be a maximum of 16 pieces. Their material and fastening are important: "winches" (fastened to the cords) or "crowns" (fastened to the spring).It is better to choose the second option, it is more reliable and easier to repair.

• The handle - its main purpose - to lie comfortably in the hand. Therefore, the question is here individually for each consumer.

• The umbrella style is also not unimportant. Business people should prefer classic models in calm colors, romantically inclined - umbrellas with bright prints and cute pictures (nature, animals).

• The color scheme of the umbrella is selected individually. The general trend in color preferences is as follows: young people prefer defiantly bright colors, the older category - calm shades, representatives of the stronger sex: dark gray, blue, black.

The most reliable umbrellas, in terms of quality, were considered to be those made in France, Japan and Holland. However, when buying this accessory, you should not rely only on the manufacturer.

The conditions of today's market are such that even well-known brands are forced to purchase components in China, and often order the assembly of their umbrellas there. If the store assures you that this or that model is "purebred" German or French, you should not accept it unconditionally.

• The company "Three Elephants" belongs to a Japanese manufacturer, which for more than forty years has occupied a leading position among the manufacturers of umbrellas with a worldwide reputation. The brand name came about thanks to two facts. The very first umbrellas were sold to India, where the elephant is a sacred animal. And the number three, according to Japanese beliefs, is the number of happiness.

Umbrellas of the Tri Elephant brand are characterized by: real Japanese quality, reasonable price, the use of already familiar, as well as ultramodern materials (jacquard, pongee, Teflon impregnation), the use of innovative technologies and stylish "chips" (umbrellas that change color, with a visible picture and other).

• Some of the most demanded umbrellas belong to the English manufacturer Fulton. Quality, reliability, beautiful design, a huge assortment (over 180 items) from classics to children and youth models have made the company not only one of the leading representatives of the market, but also a supplier of umbrellas for royalty.

• The Austrian company Doppler is the largest umbrella manufacturer in Europe. The models of this brand are distinguished by the quality of the fabric, originality, constant updating of the line and an affordable price. Doppler umbrellas are constantly participating in the shows of author's collections on the catwalks.

• Handmade umbrellas are presented by the manufacturer “Art collection”. The domes of these products are decorated with magnificent photo prints: reproductions of world famous paintings (Renoir, Van Gogh), masterpieces of architecture of Austrian cities and mesmerizing landscapes.

• The German manufacturer of umbrellas "Happy rain" has been pleasing its customers with high quality products and affordable prices for more than two decades. A subsidiary of this company has already been established in China under the name "Rain Power".

Among domestic firms, "Umbrella" stands out. Buyers can choose from about 40 high quality models, distinguished by the reliability of the frame, the convenience of the handle, moisture-resistant fabrics of the dome and stylish bright colors.

Other popular brands include Zest, Perletti, Airton nex, Lulu Guinness, and Prize.

Correct care will help to ensure the long service life of the umbrella. Several helpful tips.

• It is necessary to dry the umbrella half open in order to avoid sagging of the fabric on the canopy. If the material is silk, it is recommended to dry the umbrella closed.It is not necessary to specially smooth out the folds on the umbrella, when the product dries up, they will disappear by themselves;
• Avoid leaving the umbrella to dry near sources of strong heat, as this will lead to the loss of its basic qualities;

• You can fold the umbrella into the cover only after it has been thoroughly dried. A preventive measure that contributes to the long service life of the product will be periodic ventilation;
• it is necessary to store the umbrella at a temperature not lower than –10 and not higher than +35 ° C;

• The umbrella should not feel pressure from heavy things, so you should not put it on the very bottom of the bag;
• If the umbrella needs to be cleaned at home, it is best to make a solution: pour half a glass of ammonia into 1 liter of water or dilute vinegar in water, taking equal shares of both substances. You can also use soap or a mild detergent, but never add kerosene, gasoline, acetone or other solvents. You need to clean the umbrella with the dome fully open, and after this procedure, rinse and dry everything well;

• For cleaning, choose a soft bristled brush or a non-hard sponge to remove dirt and dust. The water temperature should be no more than +40 degrees;
• It is better to remove dirt on a black umbrella with a strong brew of black tea;
• The umbrella should be washed only as needed, and not after every walk in the rain;
• If the fabric sags, place the umbrella under a hot shower (this action will help to stretch the fabric along the knitting needles), and then dry thoroughly.

Some of the most stylish umbrellas:

1. Transparent, resembling a birdcage. The advantage of such models is that they cover both the head and shoulders from the rain;
2. With LEDs capable of shining up to 5 hours. During the day, such umbrellas will save you from the scorching sun, and in the evening they will illuminate the way home;
3. Predicting the advance of precipitation. 12 hours before the expected rain on the handle of the umbrella LEDs light up;
4. With nano technology, designed to resemble a lotus leaf. As a result of this, it is enough to shake off the umbrella after the rain, and it will become completely dry;
5. Electronic, allowing you to take photographs while walking, as well as using a digital compass and a three-dimensional map to determine your location.