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Which country invented the umbrella?
July 06, 2006
Rain Gear
Even though rain traditionally has a sad and negative connotation in the Western world, it is usually greeted with euphoria in India, Africa and the Middle East. And as you bring out the umbrellas and raincoats, take the rediff biz quiz and find out how much you know about the traditional rain gear.
Biz Quiz is best viewed in Internet Explorer (IE) and Netscape above version 6.0.
1. Which comic character uses his an umbrella as a weapon? a) Mandrake b) He-Man c) Penguin
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is Penguin. In the Batman comic books and movies, the Penguin conceals a variety of weapons in his umbrella. But using an umbrella as a weapon is not restricted to comic books alone. Exiled Bulgarian dissident writer Georgi Markov was assassinated in England by a poison dart filled with ricin and fired from an umbrella in London in 1978.
Correct! In the Batman comic books and movies, the Penguin conceals a variety of weapons in his umbrella. But using an umbrella as a weapon is not restricted to comic books alone. Exiled Bulgarian dissident writer Georgi Markov was assassinated in England by a poison dart filled with ricin and fired from an umbrella in London in 1978.
2. An umbrella made for protection from the sun is called... a) Brolly b) Parasol c) Umbra
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is Parasol. These are often meant to be fixed to one point and often used with patio tables or other outdoor furniture, or on the beach for shelter from the sun. The word "umbrella" is from the Latin word "umbra" for shade or shadow. "Brolly" is British slang for umbrella.
Correct! These are often meant to be fixed to one point and often used with patio tables or other outdoor furniture, or on the beach for shelter from the sun. The word "umbrella" is from the Latin word "umbra" for shade or shadow. "Brolly" is British slang for umbrella.
3. The umbrella was invented in... a) Japan b) China c) Korea
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is China. The collapsible and internally supported umbrella is commonly credited as being invented during the rule of the Cao Wei dynasty in ancient China, roughly 1,700 years ago. The Chinese design was later brought to Japan via Korea and also introduced to Persia and the West via the Silk Route.
Correct! The collapsible and internally supported umbrella is commonly credited as being invented during the rule of the Cao Wei dynasty in ancient China, roughly 1,700 years ago. The Chinese design was later brought to Japan via Korea and also introduced to Persia and the West via the Silk Route.
4. A product of one of these companies is also named after a rainwear... a) Apple b) Intel c) IBM
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is Apple (Mackintosh). A Mackintosh is a form of raincoat and was first sold in 1824. It is made out of rubberised fabric. The Mackintosh is named after its Scottish inventor Charles Macintosh.
Correct! A Mackintosh is a form of raincoat and was first sold in 1824. It is made out of rubberised fabric. The Mackintosh is named after its Scottish inventor Charles Macintosh.
5. The compact collapsible umbrella was invented in... a) Britain b) France c) America
Wrong! Try again..
Wrong! The correct answer is America. It was launched in the United States of America in the 1930s as the "Growy Umbrella". The concept of folding ribs led to the telescopic folding umbrella so popular today. Samuel Fox (1815 - 1887), an English inventor and manufacturer, invented the steel ribbed umbrella in 1852 (wood or whale bone had been used previously).
Correct! It was launched in the United States of America in the 1930s as the "Growy Umbrella". The concept of folding ribs led to the telescopic folding umbrella so popular today. Samuel Fox (1815 - 1887), an English inventor and manufacturer, invented the steel ribbed umbrella in 1852 (wood or whale bone had been used previously).