Michelle Trudel, age 9, of Jackson, Miss., for her question:

WHO INVENTED THE UMBRELLA?

The name umbrella comes from a Latin word meaning "little shadow." The first umbrellas originated in Egypt during ancient times as sunshades which the slaves held over their masters.

We don't know who invented the umbrella, but we know that people in ancient Greece and Rome also carried umbrellas. Actually, the umbrella was only carried by women. For a man to carry one was regarded as effeminate.

Umbrellas began to be used by both sexes in England during the 1700s.

Today people in all parts of the world use umbrellas as protection against the rain. The name parasol is often applied to umbrellas today which are carried as sunshades. Large folding beach umbrellas are also used today to protect people from the sun.

There are many kinds of umbrellas. Some are made so that they can be folded and carried in the pocket when not used. Other umbrellas may be collapsed and hidden in canes, whick can then be used as walking sticks.

Umbrellas today are made from many materials, including clear plastics. They also come in just about every color you can imagine.