A Brief History of the Mattress

Mattresses are a key component of bedding.structures were constructed of leaves and grass,
Because most humans spend over a third of theirheld together with animal skin. Around 3,500 B.C.,
lives sleeping, finding a quality mattress is importantPersians invented the first "waterbeds," made of
for a high quality of life. Normally comprised of foamgoatskins filled with water. The more affluent
and fibers, with metal springs on a wooden frame,inhabitants of the Roman Empire, circa 200 B.C., slept
mattresses help ensure a restful sleep.on mattresses filled with feathers. Steel coils, which
Serta, Sealy, and Simmons are the three largest,now support the vast majority of mattresses, were
most popular mattress brands in the USA.not patented for this purpose until 1865.
Standard USA mattress sizes are Twin/Single (39" XMattresses have enjoyed many advances in the past
75"), Double/Full (54" X 75"), Queen (60" X 80"), Kingfew decades, including the advent of air mattresses,
(78" X 80"). Other USA mattress sizes includefoam mattresses, and "memory foam" mattresses.
Olympic Queen (66" X 80"), California Queen (60" XIncreasingly, mattresses are being constructed from
84"), and California King (72" X 80").modern materials such as latex foam and
Mattresses typically require replacement after sevenpolyurethane foam. In addition, those consumers
to fifteen years of use, or sooner, if the coils orseeking affordability and convenience have chosen
frame have experienced noticeable wear and tear.futons and futon mattresses to ensure their good
A Brief History of the Mattressnight's sleep. And there has long been a core of
In the Neolithic period (8,000-6,000 B.C.), peoplewaterbed enthusiasts who remain committed to
migrated from sleeping on the ground to simplewaterbed mattresses.
man-made beds and mattresses. These first resting