Hanway, J.

...Umbrellas that could be opened and closed were apparently made in Italy in the 13th century. Umbrellas began to be used from around the 17th century, and it is said that in 1778, the 18th-century English merchant and philanthropist Jonas Hanway (1712-86) walked through the streets of London carrying an umbrella, and people were astonished at his boldness. At the time, umbrella frames were made from whalebone, but in the 1820s, steel frames were made, and in 1852, S. Fox developed frames with U-shaped grooves, and umbrellas with thin frames, which were light and easy to use, became popular. ...

*Some of the terminology referenced in "Hanway, J." is listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…開閉できる傘は13世紀にイタリアでつくられたという。雨傘が使われたのは17世紀ころからで，18世紀イギリスの商人で慈善事業家のハンウェーJonas Hanway(1712‐86)が1778年に雨傘をさしてロンドン市街を歩き，その大胆さに人々は驚いたと言い伝えられている。当時の傘の骨はクジラの骨であったが，1820年代に鋼鉄の骨がつくられ，52年にS.フォックスによってU字形の溝のついた骨が開発され，骨が細く，軽くて使いよい傘が普及するようになった。…

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