No one wants to be caught outside in the rain without an umbrella. These handy devices come in an array of shapes and sizes, many that will conveniently tuck into a purse or glove compartment in case of a sudden downpour. Just about everyone owns an umbrella, but not many of us give them a second thought. What follows is a brief tribute to an item most of us take for granted.

Historians are unsure of when exactly umbrellas came into play. Some say Egypt while others say China. What is for sure is that they