Andy's Umbrella Appreciation

Is The Umbrella An Underappreciated Invention?

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on Jan. 13, 2008.

The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.

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Of all the inventions of man, the wheel, the light bulb and the internal combustion engine were probably the most important. Our lives would not be the same -- or as good -- without them.

There have been some good minor inventions too, though. For example, I'd be lost without elastic bands. The other unimportant invention we all need is the umbrella. We know Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, and it seems wrong that we don't know the name of the person who came up with the idea for the umbrella.

The umbrella was a great invention but umbrellas do have some shortcomings. They're better in the rain than in the wind. Umbrellas don't handle two people easily -- they both get wet when they try.

Protesters try to make statements with their umbrellas, but umbrellas aren't good for statement-making.

Designers won't let umbrellas alone. They’re more clever with umbrellas than is necessary. No one needs a clever umbrella.

I personally prefer the simple big black umbrella. An umbrella isn't anything with which to make a fashion statement. I don't want a Scotch plaid shield from the rain.

People hang onto their umbrellas even if they're broken. We don't throw away broken umbrellas.

No one is so important that they don't get wet when it rains. Everyone resorts to an umbrella: George Bush, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Woody Allen, Michael Jackson, or even the Rev. Al Sharpton gets wet when it rains.

You might think Pope Benedict could pray for sunshine when it starts coming down, but he needs an umbrella just like mortal man.

Our president has someone do almost everything for him; occasionally he does something for someone else. No one can satisfactorily hold an umbrella for someone else. An umbrella is a one-man job.

[rushlimpdrug]

Gee black folk, get over it.

I freakin'' guess there should be a law that
everything invented in the modern world by
blacks should be labelled as such so we don''t forget
it.

This would of course not include black skin
pigmentation.

[jamestowncbs]

That''s Why I wear my KEARTH 101.1 FM hat all over jamestowncalif.com Southern California.
What''s New
James from Anaheim, Ca

[drspencer2]

I was disappointed that Mr. Rooney didn''t comment on the number of men who do not use Umbrellas. I think it very candy *** for a man to use an umbrella,

[drspencer2]

I was disappointed that Mr. Rooney didn''t comment on the number of men who do not use Umbrellas. I think it very candy *** for a man to use an umbrella,

[kal99-2009]

The umbrella (or parasol) concept dates back to Eqyptian time. The modern umbrella''s popularity can be attributted to William Carter, an African-american.
No wonder Rooney has no idea who he is.

Wouldn''t it something to eventually have a black person take over Rooney''s spot and say something like, "I wonder who came up with the idea of the lightbulb, powered flight!"

[hypnotoad72]

With all the crud going on in this world, thank you Andy for another wonderfully diverting segment.

(seriously)

[peninsulapar]

Reckon it doesn''t matter who invented the light bulb-it works and to try and figure out the "bumbershoot" inventor is easier. Look at National geographic depiction of Egyptian heirogliphic''s and often you see pharoahs and royalty covered by the umbrella.

[knyghtwolf]

Its like celebrating Columbus Day, Christopher Columbus NEVER set foot on American soil, but the Vikings did, and they left proof that they were here long before Columbus. How about a day for Vikings discovering America?

[michellem99-2009]

I don''t use the bloody thing. Don''t own one. I perfer the boonie hat..

[eyeviewwest]

Hi Andy, I am installing a new Target stor in bullhead AZ. Sitting in my hotel room I saw your story on,"umbrellas". I am suprised that you never mention the inventor. My researsch indicates that it was,"African-American, inventor, William C. Carter ". I feel that for you to mention ,"who invented the umbrella"??? and not say who it was takes away from what African Americans have contributed the this country as well as the world. I have anticipated your comentary since I was a child, I''m 55 now. Mr. Rooney tell the 60 min faithful who invented it.
thanks for you time

Jarrett West
Eyeview Photography
[e-mail]
www.eyeviewwest.com