10 Weird and interesting facts about mattresses
Most people spend around 8 hours a day in their beds, but there are some things most of us just never thought about before
1. Origin of the mattress
The word “mattress” is Arabic in origin and was most likely brought to Europe by Crusaders.
The root word of mattress means “to throw something down,” referring to the practice of the time of sleeping on cushions on the floor.
2. The most bought mattress is the least liked
A recent study found that the mattress which typically receives the best feedback among buyers is a memory-foam/latex mattress, with 80% of users being satisfied with theirs. Waterbed came in second with 75% of owners being satisfied. Funnily enough, the most popular bed is actually the most disliked mattress with only 63% of innerspring owners reporting to being satisfied.
3. The oldest known bed was found in South Africa
In 2011 archaeologists discovered a bed dating back 77 000 years ago in the Sibudu Cave in KwaZulu-Natal.
When archeologists examined the remains under a microscope they found cape laurel tree leaves (Cryptocarya woodii). It was most likely chosen because it had repellents against mosquitoes and other pests as it has several chemical compounds in it that can kill insects.
4. Your mattress can be recycled
Mattresses are big and bulky and many people are unsure about what to do with them when they get a new one. You could send it to a landfill where it will take up space for centuries alongside millions of other old beds, or you could recycle it.
The springs and metal can be repurposed, wood and fibres can become source for fuel and foams and fabrics can be recycled for use in padding and other applications.
Another option would be to resell or donate a mattress that is still in decent shape.
5. Mattresses used to rest on ropes
Before platform foundations and box springs were invented, mattresses used to be supported by cross-woven ropes that stretched across wood frames.
In fact, the phrase “sleep tight” originated from this time period when people would regularly have to tighten their bed’s ropes or risk a saggy slumber. As for “don’t let the bedbugs bite”, well that one is unfortunately still applicable today!
6. Mattress dominoes is a legitimate world record category
There is a thing called mattress dominoes and it’s an actual record maintained by Guinness. It basically involves lining mattresses and people up as you would dominoes, tipping one over and letting the fun begin.
The current record is 1 001 mattresses and people, which was set in Shanghai in 2012.
7. Breaking mattress laws
It is illegal to purchase a mattress on Sundays in Washington. The original rationale of the law is unclear, and it doesn’t appear to be enforced attentively.
8. World’s biggest beds
The largest bed on record was made in the Netherlands and is 86 ft. by 53 ft. That’s an area of 4558 square feet.
For context, one of the largest beds practically used by a person is owned by former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal. It’s 41 square metres
A previous entry in the competition for largest bed included the Great Bed of Ware constructed in 1590 in England. At 10 square metres, 15 people could sleep on it comfortably.
9. Mattresses through the ages
Mattresses, much like plumbing and concrete, were lost for many people after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle Ages’ mattresses were essentially benches covered in furs or chests filled with moss.
The first mattresses after the Middle Ages were filled with straw or pea shucks and covered with velvet or silk.
Feather beds were first invented by the Romans during the last days of the Republic. Originally, Roman mattresses were filled with reeds, hay or wool.
South Asian and Indian mattresses used kapok—a tree whose seed pods can be spun into a cotton-like substance. South East Asia often uses coir—coconut fiber— as a down in mattresses.
Final Fact: Mattress Revolution
One of the most important, but least considered innovations in regards to mattresses was simply raising them off the floor. This greatly reduced the number of pests and rodents that would share sleeping spaces with their intended occupants.
Heinrich Westphal, a native German, invented the innerspring mattress is 1871 but was never able to make a profit off the invention.
It wouldn’t be until the 1930’s that innerspring, upholstered mattresses would gain prominence in the North American market.
Today we are lucky to have a wide variety of comfortable and luxurious mattresses to choose from.
Visit The Mattress Warehouse Nelspruit for top quality mattress deals and professional advice.
