Beehler Umbrella Factory

[4] The company ceased operations in 1975, when president William Henry Beehler retired at age 90; he died a year later.

[7] The decline of Baltimore's umbrella industry began with the introduction of the automobile because people walked outside less often;[6] and in the early 1970s, cheaper foreign imports flooded the market.

This caused a massive explosion that blew out the storefront plate glass windows, seriously injuring 20 firefighters who were blown across Lexington Street, killing fire captain George Leniz (Engine Co. #7).

The explosion was the result of a celluloid product, an early form of plastic that was used to make umbrella handles.

[11] Prior to 1852, umbrellas were typically made of wooden posts, whale-bone ribs, and oiled canvas.

Oiled silk began to replace canvas, and in 1852 a Mr. Fox from England invented channeled steel ribs.

"[9] The ribs were made of steel to prevent collapse, and covered in a rubber enamel to resist rust.

[13] In 1909, the umbrellas cost $2 to $25 ($68 to $848 adjusted for inflation), depending on the fabric selected, including silk, and the handle, such as carved ivory.