Art installation of umbrellas, Borough Market, London, England 10 Feb 2025

Today"s image features one of the simplest yet most essential inventions in human history: the umbrella, or parasol. Over 4,000 years ago, in ancient Egypt, Assyria and China, these foldable canopies were first used to shield people from the sun. It wasn"t until the 17th century that the umbrella, as we know it today, gained popularity in Europe, initially as a luxury item primarily for women. Fast-forward a few centuries, and these weather shields have become a staple in pop culture, too. Remember Mary Poppins with her iconic umbrella that helped her fly, or Rihanna"s hit song "Umbrella"?

© Malcolm P Chapman/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Masterpiece of acoustic engineering
10 Feb 2024South Downs Dark Skies Festival
10 Feb 2026Es Vedrà and Es Vedranell, Ibiza, Spain

More Desktop Wallpapers:

27 Jul 2025Barracudas at Shark Reef, Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Hangin around
9 Dec 2025Guanaco, Punta Norte, Valdés Peninsula, Argentina
9 Apr 2024Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
20 Dec 2024Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
King of the ocean
1 Apr 2025Tree frog
24 Dec 2024Silent night, sparkling lights and hearts full of joy
8 Jun 2025World Oceans Day
Snow glow
29 Sep 2023Castell Coch, Wales
27 Sep 2025Clark Range, Yosemite National Park, California, United States
Where the humpback whale sings
24 Dec 2023Christmas Eve
A delightfully ornate Easter display
It’s party time
Launching hopes and prayers
16 Feb 2025Happy World Whale Day!
Blackpool’s light fantastic
6 Aug 2025Ring-tailed lemur
6 Feb 20262026 Winter Olympics
23 Feb 2026Great white egret, Upper Bavaria, Germany
17 Nov 2023Meon Hill, Gloucestershire
The grass looks greener on this side
18 Mar 2026Pacific Rim Whale Festival
Cosmic cliffs
28 Jun 2025Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, United States
A stunning chamber for beautiful art
15 Nov 2025Irohazaka Road in autumn, Nikko, Tochigi, Japan
Where the rainbow ends