Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Which country invented the umbrella?

Last updated on: July 06, 2006 09:39 IST
Rain Gear

Even though rain traditionally has a sad and negative connotation in the Western world, it is usually greeted with euphoria in India, Africa and the Middle East. And as you bring out the umbrellas and raincoats, take the rediff biz quiz and find out how much you know about the traditional rain gear.

Biz Quiz is best viewed in Internet Explorer (IE) and Netscape above version 6.0.

1. Which comic character uses his an umbrella as a weapon?
a) Mandrake
b) He-Man
c) Penguin

2. An umbrella made for protection from the sun is called...
a) Brolly
b) Parasol
c) Umbra

3. The umbrella was invented in...
a) Japan
b) China
c) Korea

Wrong! Try again..
Wrong!
The correct answer is China.
The collapsible and internally supported umbrella is commonly credited as being invented during the rule of the Cao Wei dynasty in ancient China, roughly 1,700 years ago. The Chinese design was later brought to Japan via Korea and also introduced to Persia and the West via the Silk Route.
Correct!
The collapsible and internally supported umbrella is commonly credited as being invented during the rule of the Cao Wei dynasty in ancient China, roughly 1,700 years ago. The Chinese design was later brought to Japan via Korea and also introduced to Persia and the West via the Silk Route.

4. A product of one of these companies is also named after a rainwear...
a) Apple
b) Intel
c) IBM

Wrong! Try again..
Wrong!
The correct answer is Apple (Mackintosh).
A Mackintosh is a form of raincoat and was first sold in 1824. It is made out of rubberised fabric. The Mackintosh is named after its Scottish inventor Charles Macintosh.
Correct!
A Mackintosh is a form of raincoat and was first sold in 1824. It is made out of rubberised fabric. The Mackintosh is named after its Scottish inventor Charles Macintosh.

5. The compact collapsible umbrella was invented in...
a) Britain
b) France
c) America

Wrong! Try again..
Wrong!
The correct answer is America.
It was launched in the United States of America in the 1930s as the "Growy Umbrella". The concept of folding ribs led to the telescopic folding umbrella so popular today. Samuel Fox (1815 - 1887), an English inventor and manufacturer, invented the steel ribbed umbrella in 1852 (wood or whale bone had been used previously).
Correct!
It was launched in the United States of America in the 1930s as the "Growy Umbrella". The concept of folding ribs led to the telescopic folding umbrella so popular today. Samuel Fox (1815 - 1887), an English inventor and manufacturer, invented the steel ribbed umbrella in 1852 (wood or whale bone had been used previously).

Previous Quizzes
Metro Rail
Lakshmi Mittal
More Quizzes

Tell us what you think of this Quiz

Compiled by: Shyamala