1645 31 1/2 3 8 1/2
1740 29 1 13
1780 28 3/4 1 8 1/2
1840 27 1/2 0 13 1/4
1849 27 0 8 3/4


From 1808 to 1848, eighty patents were taken out in France for
inventions, three of importation, and forty-one for improvements in
Umbrellas.

In England, after their first introduction, the manufacture of
Umbrellas increased rapidly. The first patent is dated 1780, and was
taken up by Mark Bull for "A machine for supporting an Umbrella,
which may be fixt to any saddle or wheel'd carriage, being far more
compleat than any hitherto invented." The invention is described in
the following words :--

"There is a ball and socket of steel or iron, or any other metal or
composition. The ball moves in any direction, and is fixed by one,
two, three, or more points, which are forced against it either by a
screw or spring, The ball is made with small cavities to receive the
points which press against it. In order to secure it the more
effectually in the ball, there is a hole which receives the one end
of the staff of the umbrella, which is secured in it either by a
spring or screw, or a sliding or a spring bolt. The umbrella may be
taken away from the staff; and either put under the seat of the
saddle, or fix'd before the rider. The staff may be made whole or in
two pieces, the one to slide within the other, in order to raise or