Mattresses are among the many luxuries that people tend to take for granted in today’s hectic and bustling society. However, our favorite sleeping spots are much more accommodating than those our ancestors slept on. Keep reading to find out how mattresses have evolved over time.

Neolithic Period - Renaissance

The earliest known version of a mattress dates back 10,000 years, to the Neolithic period. These original beds were very primitive, and it was not until 3400 BC that Egyptians started sleeping on raised platforms. At this point, however, commoners still slept on heaps of palm bows. The Roman Empire saw the earliest luxury beds, which were composed of hay, wool, feathers, or reeds, and were typically decorated in gold or silver. During the Renaissance, mattresses were made of silks and velvets filled with straw, pea shucks, and feathers.

16th Century – 19th Century

Louis XIV was a lounging enthusiast and was said to have owned 413 beds; he particularly enjoyed the larger, flashier mattresses. Unfortunately these types of beds attracted a variety of bugs, which is a problem that was not solved until the 18th century. Cotton mattresses were introduced at this time, which did not attract bugs. Mattresses started to resemble modern beds in 1865 when coil springs were patented.

20th Century - Today

Mattresses continued their evolution in the 1930s when upholstery and innerspring mattresses gained popularity, paving the way for futons in the 1940s. The 1950s saw pillows and mattresses made of foam rubber, and the waterbed caught on during the following decade. Adjustable beds also began to enjoy popularity in the 1960s. After the 1980s brought the airbed, the 1990s became the decade of the queen-sized mattress. From the early 2000s on, mattresses have exploded in customization, design, and comfort.

To find out just how far mattresses have come, visit one of the many Mancini’s Sleepworld locations in northern California. We are happy to supply the area with adjustable mattresses as well as gel memory foam and the iComfort Sleep System. If you would like to know more about our mattresses, feel free to call us at (800) 641-5337 or visit our website.