Evolution of the umbrella

Sorry, I couldn't help it. I got lost in the world of the umbrellas...They have existed from ancient civilizations (Egyptians, Greek, Romans) using it specially to protect oneself from the heat and the sun or for cerimonial and religious purposes. It was not until the eighteenth century that we have evidence of its use to avoid getting wet under the rain, at least in Europe. During victorian times, there was a wide variety of designs and models. However, they were not as practical and light as they can be today. (source: A short history of the  umbrella, hubpages)
Here you have a selction of pictures related to the different uses and evolution of the umbrella.

                                          Ancient Greece

                                                      Ancient Rome

                                            17th -18th Century

                                                                  Victorian times

                                                       

                                                         

                                                                         20th century