The polite umbrella is a shrinkable umbrella that enables users to morph its shape in order to reduce occupied space and to increase user maneuverability.
While not likely to be a hit here in the stares where the F*** you! Get out my way! I'm trying to walk here! umbrella is a ubiquitous sight on rainy days, and our idea of a useful invention is a backwards robe made out of felt, the polite umbrella could potentially be a huge success in countries such as Japan, China, and others where a sense of deference and social positioning is ingrained at an early age. Next up for polite umbrella inventor Joo Youn Paek? "Polite rain," he says. "A rainstorm that only happens when you're indoors."