Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-06-07
Curious Umbrellas.

Though they did not invent the UNI
brella, the English have done much To
develop and bring it to perfection. Be
tween October, 1856, and July, 1871, nc
less than 292 Improvements on the ordi-
| nary walking stick were patented in this
country; and though some few of these
patents refer to undraped batons, some
270 of them are for portable canopies.
A considerable proportion of these open
letters were granted for im provements in
one or another of the subordinate parts of
tho suu-snade-such as ribs, suetchers,
tips, handles, ferrules, potches, springs
but the majority exhibit specifications
that affect the general design or chief
materials for the articles. Indeed, an
entire volume might be written about all
the various projects fora perfect umbrella.
The rhabdOskidopheros is an umbrella,
with the drapery folded into a hollow
stick, from which the canopy shoots
forth and expands itself in trice on the
touch.of spring. The MacGregor UNI
brella may be used with equal effect
against the rain or ones natural enemies,
as 1t is fitted with spear, and may be
used as bayonet. Just thirty years
since an umbrella was invented for peo-
pie with chilly hands, which had a
curious little heating apparatus set in its
handle. Draped canes have been fitted
with sun -dials, compasses and watches
The lady's parasol riding whip is familiar
to everyone; but it is not everyone who
has seen a needle-gun cane, a fishing-rod
and pipe stalk fitted with a canopy for
the protection of the sportsman or smoker
What would dear old Isaak Walton have
thought Of fishing rod fitted with an
nIr1b bra1lo Tho o1 afo
umbrella is long falling curtain that, OF
the expansion of the pdrap'uie, hang,
from the tips of the ribs and the edge of
the covering to the ground. When he is
in motion, the bearer of this umbrella has
the appearance of an unusually tall and
animated pillar post; and in order that he
may see his way, the falling curtain is
provided with little glass window, bow
or otherwise, through which he can gaze
on the astonished world. To another in
ventor we are indebted for an umbrella
whose hollow staff is furnished with
pistol, some charges of ball and powder,
a screw telescope, pen and ink, paper,
pencil and small knife. In the autom-
atom umbrella the stretchers are put so
high that the canopy can be brought down
close over the bearers head. The club
umbrella. invented only few years since,
was peculiar in having handle that
could be unscrewed, so that on remov:
the handle and putting it into his pocket,
the owner might leave the canopy in the
hall with an agreeable confidence that he
would see it again on leaving his cluo, as
no one would care to borrow" a han
dleless umbrella. But this Ingenious
contrivance failed to find favor in Pail
Mall, because it was felt to be an unclub-
an umbrella that implied as dfshtrhast dffshth OF
the honesty of the members of his joint
stock home. 1t is almost needless to say
that the perfect umbrella of the future
will combine all the features of all the
previous umbrellas-that it will be a fish
ing rod, fowling piece, driving whip,
sword stick, bayonet, tobacco pipe, writ
ing desk and pillar post tent, and have its
handle fitted with a fireplace, repeating
watch and a compass, and will weigh
only eight ounces avolrdupois, the weight
of the most delicately constructed Paris
mbrella.-Hdtters' Gazette.