Jonas Hanway was the first person in Britain with an umbrella – and he got the idea whilst trading around the Caspian Sea. Although the BBC, in today’s review of the history and the future of the umbrella, are correct that the Egyptians and the Chinese were early adopters of the parasol / umbrella, it’s sad that they have left the Persians out altogether!
There are parasols shown in carvings at Persepolis and Taq-i Bustan, as shown here. Jonas Hanway wasn’t only interested in umbrellas. He also had some great tales to tell about his Persian hosts. He described how the Ottoman Sultan had demanded that Shah Abbas stop his subjects wearing green, as a mark of respect for the Holy Prophet: “To this Shah Abbas, who was a man of understanding, made answer, that if the Grand Signior would prevent the dogs pissing on the grass in Turkey, he would comply with the request”.
And more about ancient Persian parasols here.
Or see Saudi Aramco’s umbrella history here