Standing Umbrella
January 21st, 2010
This brolly deserves a standing ovation. Pun aside, it’s basically an umbrella given a tripod tip by designer Hironao Tsuboi, so it’s able to stand upright without any support. That would have been previously impossible due to the uneven weight distribution of curved handles on most sunshades. The design process, according to Tsuboi, is complex as it involves casting aluminum into different moulds and determining the optimal spread of the legs. US$49 is a still a tad steep for a parasol (you can buy it online here) and it probably wouldn’t work as well on uneven floors.
