Quick history of beds

History of the bed

In 3400 BC the Egyptian pharaohs discovered the benefits of raising a pallet off the floor for the purpose of sleeping. A member of the rich and royal elite may have a bed made of gold or ebony, while the poor or peasant class would typically sleep on beds made palm bows piled in a corner of their homes.

The Roman Empire is credited for discovering or create the first luxury beds. They would typically create very ornate beds made of ebony or gold and use mattresses stuffed with reeds, hay, wool or feathers.

The Roman Empire is also credited with discovering the waterbed. The sleeper would recline in a warm cradle of water until sleepy and then be moved to a adjacent mattress where they would be rocked to sleep.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, mattresses were often stuffed with straw or down and placed on top of a lattice work frame of rope.
In the late 19th century the creation of the cast iron bed and cotton mattresses came about. This combination of materials created a less attractive spot for insects which up until this time were considered a normal part of your sleeping arrangement.

The first coil spring constructed mattress was designed and patented in 1865.

The innerspring mattress and upholstered foundations became the popular choice in the 1930’s in both the US and Canada.

In the 1940’s futons were introduced.

Foam rubber mattresses and pillows became a normal staple in the 1950’s.

The modern waterbed and adjustable beds became popular in the 1960’s.

Airbeds were introduced to the consumer in the 1980’s.

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A quick history of the bed