Today"s image features one of the simplest yet most essential inventions in human history: the umbrella, or parasol. Over 4,000 years ago, in ancient Egypt, Assyria and China, these foldable canopies were first used to shield people from the sun. It wasn"t until the 17th century that the umbrella, as we know it today, gained popularity in Europe, initially as a luxury item primarily for women. Fast-forward a few centuries and these weather shields have become a staple in pop culture, too. Remember Mary Poppins with her iconic umbrella that helped her fly, or Rihanna"s hit song "Umbrella"?
Art Installation of umbrellas, London, England
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Guanacos, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina
-
West Cornwall Covered Bridge, Connecticut, USA
-
Chinstrap penguins
-
Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
-
Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria
-
Pumpkins and squashes
-
Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Paris
-
Bathing boxes at Brighton Beach, Australia
-
Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, Australia
-
Polar bear mother and cubs
-
Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim, Ireland
-
Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, Japan
-
Archway Islands, Wharariki Beach, South Island, New Zealand
-
Ancient town of Sorano, Tuscany, Italy
-
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
-
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California, USA
-
Wind River, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, USA
-
Swaledale sheep in North Yorkshire, England
-
Palace of Westminster, London, England
-
Piazza Maggiore, Bologna, Italy
-
Danum Valley, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia
-
Poço Encantado cave, Brazil
-
Christmas lights at Mousehole harbour, Cornwall, England
-
Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
-
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA
-
Colourful beehives, Italy
-
Grizzly bears
-
Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia
-
Castle of Rocca Calascio, Italy
-
Wat Tang Sai Temple, Thailand
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

