Jonas Hanway's Handy Gadget
First Englishman in London to use an umbrella - 1750.
Location: Hanway House, Red Lion Square, WC1R
Description: A long time ago, 1750 to be exact, Jonas Hanway did a fine thing for Londoner's everywhere... he will go down in history as the first Englishman to use an umbrella in London.
As an intrepid explorer and traveller of Russia and Persia, it seems nothing could have prepared him for the 'scorn of the mob' that he endured when using this strange rain deflector.
But of course...by the time of his death in 1786, umbrella's were in common use and completely indispensable!
Tours: The London Inventions Tour
Themes: Historical Quirky
First Englishman in London to use an umbrella - 1750. |
Ranking This Month: 2543/3062
Pages Hit This Month: 36
Credits: Judy Lloyd
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
Christmas under Nelson», 0.8km
Houses of Parliament», 1.4km
The downfall of Wanstead House», 7.4km
The exact centre of London», 0.7km
Tigers in Town», 1.3km
The Royal Exchange», 1.3km
Highgate Hill's Memorial Story», 3.3km
The worst street in London», 1.8km
Not a nice way to go», 1.6km
Speaker's Corner...», 2.1km
Location Pinpointed:
Open Street Maps», Google Maps»