A World War One injury made it difficult for Berlin, Germany based Hans Haupt to carry both a walking stick and an umbrella, so he set about creating a solution. The result – the first umbrella with a telescopic frame. It fit neatly in his pocket and was always available when it rained. Being so small, it was natural that he referred to it as his tiny tot – a young child – and that is where the brand name Knirps comes from, as knirps means tot in German.

In 1928 a company called Bremshey & Co could see the potential for such a product and helped produce the first varieties of this innovative pocket umbrella. A patent was granted in 1934.

Throughout the decades Knirps manufacturers have remained innovators, with a string of world firsts for example in 1965 Knirps introduced the first umbrella with automatic opening mechanism.

There are three different styles to choose from.