What would the world be without umbrellas ? How many people soaked all over with rain pelting down on them,  would be in the mood of “ I'm singing in the rain”. And to think that  at the beginning  the umbrella was used to protect from  the sun and create a “ small shade”  In the XI century  it was a true status symbol. The Chinese, who invented it in full Middles Ages, used it  as  distinctive mark  of social standing. In Europe it arrived a little later and was used as  a parasol until about 1730, when in Paris  an oilcloth covering started to be produced. Yet  the umbrella, this exotic and distinctive object, suffered discrimination. For many years the majority of people considered it an accessory for effeminate folk and in 1818 the Duke of Wellington forbid its use  to his soldiers. In 1874, a less scrupulous Englishman thought to devote himself to the umbrella and improve it. Samuel Fox , that was the name of the inventor,  patented a framework made of bent steel ribs, which would allow  the umbrella to fold perfectly.  The rest, so to say, is just current history. Maybe, in  hundred years, for a virtual  article on the history of the umbrella, going back to  the present day  a cyborg  journalist  will mention  Ettore and his family. How it improved and evolved into a  sunshade, is  part of recent  history. Ettore  knows a lot and like all inventors is jeaulous of his secrets. And to think that  it was  sheer chance that as late  as the 80's    Mr. Di Porto  started with  sunshades. “ After  my early activity, I turned to other jobs. Helped by my previous  sewing experience, good results followed  before long. I asked among  peddlers who had umbrellas for repair and so I started. Listening to their problems, I  could undertand  their needs and what had to be changed to  make their job easier”.

LA.PI. is the name of the company founded by Mr. Di Porto, and  his two daughters – Laura and Rossella – are the owners,  helped by his wife Leda and  his son-in-law Franco.  The company  now has 20 workers . “We started  with one worker and one man busy at sewing … Leda says -  and  we should like to remain a family run company but…..”. The company  grows rapidly. 400 m2 will be added to the factory. From the initial single model to 100 of them in all shapes  and “ made to order”, upon request . This incredible development  has not been casual, it has an author: Ettore Di Porto. Deeply convinced, he  considered  existing models and  improved them, like  the  “accordion”, a  traditional bench used in markets, which  he showed to me in its  improved version. His talent does not stop here. As said before, many secrets contribute to make LA.PI products matchless. Secrets originated in the laboratories at the end of a working day. “ I turned my job into my hobby”-  tireless Ettore says –  so working  is not a burden for me.  “I like creating new models  and new machines for special  accessories. Elsewhere, the laboratories  have standard equipment, here you find machines which are not found elsewhere”. Starting from an average-quality  model, after a short time LA.PI . turned to quality models. A clever decision , considering the success achieved  by our models. LA.PI . have two lines: De Luxe and Export  and  besides the home market,  encouraging results are targeted Great Britain, Singapore, Germany and Japan.  “Recently – Mr. Di Porto says -  we received a letter from Osaka, complimenting us”. It is easily understandable that we were pleased that the new concept and functionality of the model we created had been recognised.  In the factory, we have a patented model for peddlers with special  aluminium ribs for much higher  strength  than the usual pattern. We have an unrivalled machine to bore aluminium. Thus, after the usual working time, LA.PI. turn into  a laboratory. Ettore Di Porto becomes the  inventor and shuts himself up for hours, so tells us Leda, and thinks of new machines for new models. In fact, just  at this time he  is developing  a new model per peddlers and one for villas specially  suitable for catering. The family will then discuss how to call the models , select  the colours and finally  decide about  advertising. Rossella, Laura and Franco confirm their  full involvement, yet  do not conceal how pleased they are for the results achieved and  how ambitious is their aim at  future targets. Hanging sunshades, gazebos, half sunshades,  special market sunshades, sunshades by night. Is there no limit to Mr. Di Porto and his imagination ? What will be  the future of the umbrella and its related  products after so many  incredible changes ?  Time will show…..To those who cannot restrain their curiosity we would suggest to ask  Ettore, preferably not after the working time.