Crafted Umbrellas

From a little survey of how umbrellas look and function, they are pretty much the same. A round, folding canvas above you head. Below are several suggestions for different designs, technology and functions of umbrellas.

Asymmetric umbrellas: why are all umbrellas symmetric? It's probably because the folding design. However, their function should not be symmetric. If you have a large backpack with a precious laptop in it, you want a lot of protection on back; much more elaborate than for the face. Also, if you're walking with your umbrella-less friend, you want to be able to extend the umbrella. I propose asymmetric umbrellas: oval shaped either on the front-back axis for protection of backpacks, or sideways-axis for a more-than-one person umbrella.

Hardened umbrellas. One of the most annoying things is wind, which usually accompanies the rain. However, most umbrella designers seem to have forgotten this basic fact. Umbrellas always fold the wrong way or completely brake in the very first squall. I propose hardened umbrellas: there are materials today that can change their hardness upon electrical current. Wouldn't it be nice to have a button on the umbrella that can harden it completely and then make it flabby again when we fold it? Better yet, plugging in a wind sensor could make this shift automatic, to have the optimal hardness given the current wind condition.

Water-collecting umbrellas. Another annoying aspect of umbrellas is that they protect you from the rain, but then water drips from its edges, usually on your feet or backpack. Why not have a drainage tube on the rim of the umbrella and either collect the water or make it flow into one constant flow, instead of every-which way?

These are just a handful of design projects to improve the lives of all the wet people.

May you have a dry day!