Mattress Care

The History of Beds

Comfortable mattresses that provide support are something most of us take for granted. We don't think about how beds evolved over time. Here's a quick chronology of the history of beds.

• 10,000 years ago: During the Neolithic period, people first begin to sleep on primitive beds.
• 3400 BC: Egyptian pharaohs discover the benefit of raising a pallet off the ground. King Tutankahmen creates an ebony and gold bed. Common people, however, sleep on palm bows heaped in the corner of their home.
• Roman Empire: The dawn of the first luxury bed. Often decorated with gold, silver or bronze, these beds feature actual mattresses that are stuffed with reeds, hay, wool or feathers.
• Roman Empire: The Romans discover the waterbed. The sleeper reclines in a cradle of warm water until drowsy, and is then lifted onto an adjacent cradle with a mattress and rocked to sleep.
• Renaissance: Mattresses are made of pea shucks, straw or feathers stuffed into a coarse cloth case and covered with velvet, brocade and silk fabric.
• 16th and 17th centuries: Mattresses are stuffed with straw or down and placed atop a latticework of rope. With use over a period of time, these ropes require tightening, giving birth to the expression "sleep tight".
• The late 18th century: Advent of the cast iron bed and cotton mattresses. Together, they provide a sleeping space that is less attractive to bugs. Previously, assorted vermin known at bed bugs were accepted as a fact of life, even in the most royal beds.
• 1865: The first coil spring construction for bedding is patented.
• 1930s: Innerspring mattresses and upholstered foundations become popular.
• 1940s: Futons are introduced to North America.
• 1950s: Foam rubber mattresses and pillows appear on the market.
• 1960s: The modern waterbed is introduced. Adjustable beds become popular with consumers.
• 1980s: Airbeds are introduced.
• 1990s: Spacious sleeping is on the rise again. In 1999, the queen-size mattress becomes America's most popular choice for mattress size, beating out the twin-size, for the first time.
• 2000: Choice and comfort are key words in contemporary bedding. Pillow top mattresses offer a popular innovation in luxury and an unlimited range of mattress designs offer consumers quality alternatives.