Tomorrow's news: Nubrella

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Everyone is trying to reinvent our old reliables. There are new takes on the blanket and the shammy, so why not the umbrella? While it may not be fashionable, the Nubrella makes a statement as a new twist on an old necessity.

Contributed photo

Smilin’ in the rain: Nubrella, available at nubrella.com for $49.99, opens up the market for hands-free umbrellas of the future.

Often described as looking like a space helmet, this clear round bubble has many features the umbrella does not. Because the device sits on your shoulders, it keeps your head dry from all of the elements. Tested in up to 50-mph winds, the aerodynamic shape will not invert like most umbrellas do in strong wind. With the patent-pending shoulder straps, Nubrella can also be hands free, allowing you to talk on your cell phone, sip a drink or carry books.

Creator Alan Kaufman came up with the idea for the Nubrella on a rainy and windy day in New York City. Kaufman observed people constantly fighting with their umbrellas and found the opportunity to change them. Thus, the Nubrella was born.

Liz Keever, Dallas senior, doesn’t see the appeal of the Nubrella. “They’re really practical but they’re not aesthetically pleasing at all,” Keever says.

But if you prefer functionality over being the most fashionable person on a rainy day, or you’ve been looking for a perfect gag-gift on par with the Snuggie, Nubrella can be purchased at nubrella.com for $49.99.

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