Indian fresco painting, c. 700

With spring a little over a week away, a device that's been around since time immemorial is being honored -- it's National Umbrella Month. No one knows who invented the umbrella, or exactly when, but it's estimated that it was being used as much as 4,000 years ago.

Umbrellas have been found in the artifacts of ancient Egypt, Greece, and China. It's thought the original purpose of the umbrella was to provide a shield from the sun -- the name comes from the Latin word for shade -- "umbra." However, in many U.S. cities, trusty umbrellas will be popped open to keep people from being drenched.

Mobile, Alabama has the highest annual rainfall at more than 66 inches. New Orleans is next at 64 inches, and Miami registers over 58 inches a year

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