About Poncho
Poncho is a garment made from rectangle of a cloth with a slit in the middle of the head. Originally a Latin American garment, poncho is usually waterproof and is used as an outerwear. A poncho is designed to keep the body warm, or if made from a watertight material, to keep dry during rain. Ponchos are known by different names worldwide. In Kashmir, they are called Paunchu. In central Chile they are known as Chamanto and as Poncho in northern and southern Chile; and as Paenula in ancient Rome.
History
The ponchos were first used by the US military forces in the 1850s. These ponchos were made of muslin and served both as rain clothing and ground sheet for sleeping. While originally intended for cavalry forces, they were widely used by infantry as well. Ponchos were also widely used by US armed forces during World War II. Later in the 1950s, a new lightweight coated nylon and other synthetic materials were developed for military ponchos.