Art installation of umbrellas, Borough Market, London, England 10 Feb 2025

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"?

© Malcolm P Chapman/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Masterpiece of acoustic engineering
10 Feb 2024South Downs Dark Skies Festival
10 Feb 2026Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell, Ibiza, Spain

More Desktop Wallpapers:

A day of swing and celebration
3 Mar 2024World Wildlife Day
19 May 2025Mount Hamilton, San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
16 Mar 2025Baby giant panda in China
25 Dec 2024Merry Christmas!
2 Mar 2024Brit Awards
12 Jul 2025Thomsons gazelles, Maasai Mara, Kenya
The envy of postcards and snowglobes
6 Sep 2025Rufous hummingbird, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, United States
15 Nov 2023Rapa Valley in Sarek National Park, Sweden
9 Nov 2023Birch trees, Drammen, Norway
Lighting up the Dolomites
28 Feb 2025Tibetan New Year
1 Mar 2024Saint Davids Day
A time-worn mediaeval marvel
What are these unique creatures?
22 Aug 2025Rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington, United States
22 Apr 2024Earth Day
When only a hug will do
28 Sep 2024Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
12 Sep 2024World Dolphin Day
18 Jan 2025National Winnie-the-Pooh Day
29 Aug 2025Aerial view of Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain
6 May 2024The ruins of an ancient monastery, Skellig Michael, Ireland
All hail the mighty mangrove!
Nap your worries away
3 Feb 2024Carnival of Venice
A legend sprung from the ground
Pretty in pink
Home of the worst-smelling food?