A pillow top queen-size mattress.Photo on a 1940 USDA circular promoting home production of cotton mattresses
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Mattress Pads, Covers

A mattress is a mat or pad, usually placed atop a bed, upon which to sleep or lie. more...

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The word mattress is derived from Arabic words meaning "to throw" and "place where something is thrown" or "mat, cushion." During the Crusades, Europeans adopted the Arabic method of sleeping on cushions thrown on the floor, and the word materas eventually descended into Middle English through the Romance languages.

Though a mattress may be placed directly on the floor, it is usually placed atop a platform (such as a bed or a metal spring foundation) to be further from the ground. Historically, mattresses have been filled with a variety of natural materials, including straw and feathers. Modern mattresses usually contain either an innerspring core or materials such as latex, viscoelastic, or other polyurethane-type foams. Mattresses may also be filled with air or water.

History

Neolithic period: The mattress and bed are invented. Beds are raised off the ground to avoid drafts, dirt, and pests. The first mattress probably consists of a pile of leaves, grass, or possibly straw, with animal skins over it.; 3600 B.C.: Beds made of goatskins filled with water are used in Persia.; 3400 B.C.: Egyptians sleep on palm boughs heaped in the corners of their homes.; 200 B.C.: Mattresses in Ancient Rome consist of bags of cloth stuffed with reeds, hay, or wool; the wealthy use feather stuffing.; 15th century: During the Renaissance, mattresses are made of pea shucks, straw, or sometimes feathers, stuffed into coarse ticks, and covered with velvets, brocades, or silks.; 16th and 17th centuries: Mattresses are stuffed with straw or down and placed atop a bed consisting of a timber frame with support latticeworks of rope or leather.; Early 18th century: Mattresses are stuffed with cotton or wool.; Mid 18th century: Mattress covers begin to be made of quality linen or cotton. The mattress cane box is shaped or bordered, and fillings include natural fibers such as coconut fibre, cotton, wool, and horsehair. The mattress is tufted or buttoned to attach the stuffing to the cover and the edges are stitched.; 1857: The steel coil spring is invented and is first patented for use in chair seats.; 1865: The first coil spring construction for bedding is patented.; 1871: The German Heinrich Westphal invents the inner spring mattress. He later died in poverty, never having profited from his invention.; 1873: Sir James Paget presents a waterbed designed by Neil Arnott to St. Bartholomew's Hospital as a treatment and prevention of pressure ulcers.; 1885: J.P. Leggett patents improvements to the steel coil bedspring. His innovative method of coupling the springs and attaching them to wooden bed slats launched a successful partnership with C.B. Platt, which eventually became Leggett & Platt, Inc.; 1895: A few waterbeds, which resemble large hot water bottles, are sold via mail order by the British store Harrod’s.; Late 19th century: The box-spring is invented, making mattresses less lumpy.; 1900: James Marshall of Simmons Bedding Company invents the pocket coil mattress; 1906: Sealy Mattress Company forms after buying all patents and knowledge from a local inventor.; 1929: The most expensive mattresses are constructed of latex rubber and are produced by Dunlopillow.; 1930s: Innerspring mattresses and upholstered foundations become widely used, and artificial fillers become common. Pocket spring mattresses, which consist of individual springs sewn into linked fabric bags, are introduced.; 1940s: The futon is introduced in North America.; 1950: Sealy introduced the Posturepedic mattress designed in conjunction with Orthopedic surgeons.; 1950s: Foam rubber mattresses and pillows are available for purchase.; 1960s: The modern waterbed is introduced and gains its first widespread use with the invention of vinyl. Adjustable beds gain popularity.; 1970s: NASA invents material that later becomes known as memory foam.; 1980s: Air mattresses constructed of vinyl are introduced.; 1992: Tempur-Pedic introduces a mattress made from memory foam.;

Read more at Wikipedia.org


Cal King Mattress Pad, Bed Protector Cover $53.84 Jcpenney King Waterproof Quilted Mattress Pad $9.99
Queen Rest Warmer heated mattress pad sleep warmer Nip $48.90 2.5 Cal King 2" Foam Mattress Pad, Bed Topper $53.99
8 Pads Chux Washable Incontinence Diapers Bed Protector $19.89 Jcp Queen 3" Comfort Zone Memory Foam Mattress Topper $18.99
2.5 Full 3" Foam Mattress Pad, Bed Topper $74.99 Queen RestWarmer Heated Mattress Pad Duel-Control Great $24.99
King Waterproof Mattress Pad Bed Protector Cover $53.84 Homedics Dreamshield Mattress Protector - Full Size $55.00
5" Queen Featherbed Mattress Pad Cover ~~Brand New~~ $44.50 Xl Twin Size Quilted Mattress Pad - New! $7.99
Full Size Quilted Mattress Pad - New! $8.99 Sunbeam Twin Arlington Heated Electric Mattress Pad New $27.95
Sunbeam California King Heated Electric Mattress Pad $87.95 Full Size Deep Pocket Mattress Pad-Deep Pocket Fits 20" $29.99
Fiberbed With Removable Quilted Top Queen $14.99 King Waterbed Fitted Mattress Pad $24.95
Bed Bug Certified Mattress Protector - Twin $27.50 Bed Bug Certified Mattress Protector - Long Full $35.00
Bed Bug Certified Mattress Protector - California King $42.00 Bed Bug, Waterproof Mattress Cover Protector - Crib $29.00
Bed Bug Certified Box Spring Protector - Long Twin $17.50 Bed Bug Certified Box Spring Protector - Cal King $21.00
Playgro "King Single " Waterproof Mattress Protector $22.28 New "Cumfydry" Green Color Waterproof Fitted Cot Sheet $6.95
2" Cal-King Zippered Antimicrobial Topper Cover $59.84 Memory Foam Twin Bed Mattress Pad Topper From Sweden $44.48
Martex Restwarmer Heated Mattress Pad Twin New $9.99 Cloud9 Queen Mattress Pad, Bed Cover $42.84
*New* 100% Natural Cotton King Mattress Allergy Cover $69.99 3" Queen Zippered Anti-Microbial Topper Cover $47.84
Cal-King Waterproof Mattress Pad Protect Bed Cover $52.84 Motorola Hs820 Bluetooth Headset Car Charger Blk/silvr $5.99
2" Twin Xl Zippered Antimicrobial Topper Cover $29.84 New Stearns & Foster Jacquard Mattress Pad-Kg Rv $150 $39.99
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Prices current as of last update, 01/05/09 5:05pm.


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