A Brief History of the Mattress

Mattresses are a key component of bedding. Because most humans spend over a third of their lives sleeping, finding a quality mattress is important for a high quality of life. Normally comprised of foam and fibers, with metal springs on a wooden frame, mattresses help ensure a restful sleep.

Serta, Sealy, and Simmons are the three largest, most popular mattress brands in the USA.

Standard USA mattress sizes are Twin/Single (39” X 75”), Double/Full (54” X 75”), Queen (60” X 80”), King (78” X 80”). Other USA mattress sizes include Olympic Queen (66” X 80”), California Queen (60” X 84”), and California King (72” X 80”).

Mattresses typically require replacement after seven to fifteen years of use, or sooner, if the coils or frame have experienced noticeable wear and tear.

A Brief History of the Mattress

In the Neolithic period (8,000-6,000 B.C.), people migrated from sleeping on the ground to simple man-made beds and mattresses. These first resting structures were constructed of leaves and grass, held together with animal skin. Around 3,500 B.C., Persians invented the first “waterbeds,” made of goatskins filled with water. The more affluent inhabitants of the Roman Empire, circa 200 B.C., slept on mattresses filled with feathers. Steel coils, which now support the vast majority of mattresses, were not patented for this purpose until 1865.

Mattresses have enjoyed many advances in the past few decades, including the advent of air mattresses, foam mattresses, and “memory foam” mattresses. Increasingly, mattresses are being constructed from modern materials such as latex foam and polyurethane foam. In addition, those consumers seeking affordability and convenience have chosen futons and futon mattresses to ensure their good night’s sleep. And there has long been a core of waterbed enthusiasts who remain committed to waterbed mattresses.

About the Author

Mattresses Info provides detailed information about air, foam, memory foam, futon, and waterbed mattresses and mattress pads, plus advice about mattress stores. Mattresses Info is the sister site of Memory Foam Web.


Written by: Eric Morris

Memory Foam Categories

Memory Foam Mattress Home

Memory Foam Mattress Articles

Free Newsletter

Featured Articles

Memory Foam Mattress Topper Alternative Relieves Pagets Disease Symptoms

An interview with a sufferer of Pagets disease who uses a cheap memory foam mattress alternative to help him sleep through the night....

Cheaper Alternatives to Memory Foam Mattresses

Are you looking for help to sleep but don't want to spend out on a new mattress? Is the new mattress you bought recently harder and therefore not as comfortable as you hoped it would be?...

Need Help To Sleep? - Try a Memory Foam Mattress

Do you wake up feeling that because you have tossed and turned all night, you really don't want to get up and start the day with a smile?...