| <div class="table-scroll"><table><tr><th>1. Shaft</th><th>9. Locking pin</th><th>16. Plate/disc</th></tr><tr><td>2. Handle</td><td>10. Runner</td><td>17. Closure tie</td></tr><tr><td>3. Canopy</td><td>11. Top spring</td><td>18. Crown</td></tr><tr><td>4. Rib</td><td>12. Bottom spring</td><td>19. Velcro fastener</td></tr><tr><td>5. Hinge</td><td>13. Notch</td><td>20. Press stud</td></tr><tr><td>6. Rib</td><td>14. Stretcher</td><td>21. Sewn-in label</td></tr><tr><td>7. Ferrule tip</td><td>15. Ferrule</td><td>22. Rosette</td></tr></table></div> | 9. Locking pin | The four most important basic elements |
| Since the invention of the umbrella, the most important basic elements have remained the same to this day. Every umbrella basically consists of four main elements: | 1. Shaft | 2. Handle |
| 3. Ribs | 4. Canopy | The two most important basic types |
| As basic types, a general distinction is made between walking-length umbrellas and folding umbrellas. While walking-length umbrellas have a longer tradition and at first mainly served as parasols, folding umbrellas in their current form were not invented until the 1930s. Folding umbrellas are characterised by the fact that their frame can be collapsed compactly. Despite this great advantage of folding umbrellas, walking-length umbrellas are still widespread, as they generally offer more stability and span than folding umbrellas. | Manufacturing of umbrellas | 19. Velcro fastener |
| 5. Hinge | Further developments and ideas | Through continuous development up to the modern automatic umbrella, a few more elements have been added to this basic foundation: |
| With renewals and innovations, the main focus is usually on making umbrellas smaller, lighter and more stable. Thus, especially the discovery of new materials leads to changes in umbrella manufacturing. | 14. Sponsor | In design, new options for advertising application and printing are in the foreground. There are colours that change when wet, or highly reflective umbrellas that are especially safe in traffic. |
| The umbrella as an advertising item | Over the years, the umbrella has developed into a popular advertising item. Companies in particular have umbrellas printed, for example with their logo or other image motifs. Umbrellas are usually printed by screen printing, but in the meantime increasingly also by digital printing. There are now almost no limits to the design possibilities. | 22. Rosette |
The Two Main Basic Types
Generally speaking, the two basic types of umbrellas are stick umbrellas and folding umbrellas. While stick umbrellas have a longer history and were originally used primarily as sun umbrellas, folding umbrellas in their current form were not invented until the 1930s. Folding umbrellas are characterized by the fact that their frames can be folded up compactly. Despite this major advantage of folding umbrellas, straight-handle umbrellas are still widely used because they generally offer more stability and a larger canopy than folding umbrellas.
Manufacturing of Umbrellas
In the past, there was the craft of umbrella-making. This craft has since largely disappeared from Central Europe. Only a few manufacturers remain in Europe that still produce umbrellas today. When it comes to promotional umbrellas in particular, the company schirmmacher is one of the very few suppliers of umbrellas manufactured in Europe.
Further Developments and Ideas
As a result of continuous development leading up to the modern automatic umbrella, a few additional elements have been added to this basic design:
- When it comes to improvements and innovations, the primary focus is usually on making the canopies smaller, lighter, and more stable. Consequently, the discovery of new materials, in particular, is driving changes in canopy manufacturing.
- When it comes to design and features, new ideas are constantly emerging, ranging from umbrellas that open in the opposite direction (Future Inverse) to umbrellas with flashlights built into the handle (Safebrella).
- The design focuses on new options for advertising and printing. For example, there are umbrellas with colors that change when wet, as well as highly reflective umbrellas that are particularly safe for use in traffic.
The Umbrella as a Promotional Item
Over the years, the umbrella has become a popular promotional item. Companies, in particular, have umbrellas printed with their logos or other designs. Umbrellas are usually screen-printed, but digital printing is becoming increasingly common. The design possibilities are now virtually limitless.