In addition to being a comfortable place for our bodies, a mattress also plays a vital role in our well-being. The human race has sought comfort over the years in many different sleeping surfaces. This ranges from piles or hay, to memory foam, hybrid and other cutting edge mattresses. This article goes on a historical journey to explore the changes in mattresses over time and their impact on the sleep experience.

Early civilizations were the first to use mattresses. Simple materials like leaves, straws and animal skins were used to make rudimentary bed linens by the early human race. These sleeping mats were designed to act as a cushion between the human body and the harsh, cold earth. Over the years, many civilizations including Egyptians and Romans have begun to include more luxurious fabrics in their beds, such as feathers and a wool. It was a luxury that only the rich could afford.

During the Renaissance era, there was a dramatic change to how mattresses were perceived. In the early 17th century mattresses evolved beyond just piles. English craftsmen began filling cloth sacks filled with straw. This created a firmer and more comfortable sleeping surface. In response to the increasing demand for higher quality sleep, the mattress industry began to innovate. In the early 18th century the first cotton mattress was introduced, which brought new levels of comfort to the sleeper.

The invention of coil-spring mattresses in the late 19th century marked the beginning of a new era for the mattress industry. Samuel Kettle patented the coil-spring mattress in 1865. The invention was revolutionary for sleeping technology. The coil spring was a revolutionary innovation in mattress design, offering unparalleled durability and comfort. This innovation created a brand new level of comfort that was accessible to more people. For more information please Find Out More

Memory foam is a revolutionary new material which has forever altered the face of mattresses. NASA designed memory foam as a cushioning material and crash-protection for astronauts. In the early 1990s, the commercial availability of memory foam mattresses was only for the wealthy. Memory foam was quickly popularized due to its contouring ability, which relieves pressure and provides exceptional support. This was an important development for the mattress industry. Memory foam mattresses were now a popular choice amongst many sleepers.

Modern mattresses offer a new level of sophistication. As material science advances and research on sleep improves, mattress companies can create customized mattresses to meet the needs of each customer. Bed-ina-box is one of the newer trends, which involves compressed mattresses being delivered straight to the doorstep of consumers. These mattresses often consist of memory-foam or latex. Once unpacked, they expand into their original size. The manufacturers also use technologies to cool the mattress, such as gel infused foams or phase change materials.