when were umbrellas invented

Umbrellas were invented over 4,000 years ago. The earliest recorded use of umbrella-like devices dates back to ancient civilizations such as Assyria, China, Egypt, and Greece. These early umbrellas were primarily used as parasols to provide shade from the sun and were often made from materials like wood or bamboo with animal skins stretched over them. Evidence suggests that ancient China is credited with the invention of the umbrella, with references dating back as far as 2400 BC or even 3500 BC, where bamboo sticks and animal skins were used. Waterproofing for umbrellas was developed about 500 years after their initial invention, starting the transition from parasols to rain umbrellas. The modern steel-ribbed umbrella was invented by Samuel Fox in 1852, which made umbrellas lighter, stronger, and more practical for common use.