The rapid technical revolution in iron working will change America forever.
Author: Ed Steed
Connections Through Time – Part III: On The Shoulders of Giants
To fully appreciate the evolution of springs, it would be strikingly deficient to omit entirely the monumental points and achievements that came from the “shoulders of giants”.
Connections Through Time – Part II: Sprung Forward
One of the most tantalizing questions in 18th century upholstery is that of springing.
Connections Through Time – Part I: Ancient Springs and Metalworks
My original quest for the thoroughly explained origin of furniture springs set me upon a long and fascinating journey.
Ticking: Essence of a Mattress
There are many books on the history of textiles—but rarely does an index mentions ticking.
Sizing Things Up: Mattresses & Beds
If you ever wondered why there are so many bed sizes, you might be surprised to find out there were many more sizes in older times.
Legacy of Mattress Catalog Sales
LEGACY OF CATALOG SALES – AMAZON OF THE OLD ERA
Market Trends January 2018
Bed-in-Box and the turn key “hands off” manufacturing approach, and more.
Kenosha City Directory, 1861
View the PDF.
Kenosha City Directory, 1858
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Historical Narratives: J Frank Chesbro to A Terrell
View the PDF.
Norman Bel Geddes Designs “Machine Age” Metal Bedroom For Simmons
In the early 1920s Zalmon Simmons II hired the most famous “futurist” designer to create a stylish line of Simmons metal bedroom furniture which became world famous. Here are some of those consumer products Simmons sold.
The Long History of Trade Fairs and Markets
Tracing the history of today’s trade shows to the European markets of yesterday.
Norman Bel Geddes Designs America’s Future
Some might say Norman Bel Geddes was the Leonardo da Vinci of the 20th century. Here are some of his brilliant works.
Zalmon Gilbert Simmons II: The Man Who Changed How America Slept
“The Chief.” The visionary of the first mass produced innerspring mattress.
How the State of Minnesota Changed Bedding History
Did you ever wonder if there were mattress police?
Textile Patterns From Pre-1900
Stripes and soft colors were used for the higher end bedding articles.
Amoskeag V. Trainer, Supreme Court Decision
Here is the decision of the Court regarding the use of the letters “ACA” for mattress ticking.
William McArthur’s 1870 Patent
William McArthur’s 1870 patent illustrates a combination of ideas that would branch off into various bedding products.
Bushnell’s Innerspring Mattress Patent
The birth of the modern mattress, as we know it.
Woven Wire Mattresses
As the Industrial Revolution influenced the 19th Century world, techniques like the Bessemer steel production process enabled inventors and engineers to utilize metal for springs and frames.
Box Spring Beds
We take a look at the history of springs in bedding, before they were placed inside mattresses.
English Words We Commonly Use: Their Origins and Meanings
The English word “mattress” comes from Old French matelas, and, that word came from the Norman conquest of Silicy in about 1091 A.D. How did that happen?
The Challenge of Living on Mars: Sleep
Every Martian day is exactly 24 hours, 39 minutes, 35 seconds in length.
Harrisburg Woven Wire Catalog, 1892
The Harrisburg Woven Wire Catalog exemplifies the bed choices of the times.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Last Bed
It’s the 85th anniversary of the construction of FDR’s “Little White House” in Warm Springs, GA. We take a visit and a look at his mattress.
Early Metal and Brass Beds
Metal beds became popular in the late 19th century. Consumer chose from a vast assortment of designs and painted colors.
Folding Beds, An Introduction
Folding beds, wardrobe beds, and parlor mantle beds were offered in a variety of woods finishes and styles. Beds were marketed to every type budget.
Explore the Technology: The Sleep Museum
Welcome. Formerly SLEEPHISTORY.ORG, we’ve moved it here to keep it as a free resource, providing historic images, documents, catalogs and other ephemera in the hopes that they might be the catalyst for innovators and thinkers to develop better sleep products for modern civilzation.
Lincoln’s Last Moments
After the assassination instigated at Ford’s Theater, Abe Lincoln was brought to this bed to be attended to.
Combo Patents
American inventors realized the public’s need for optimum space utilization. Craftsmen and marketers focused their creative talents to develop furniture had multiple functions.
A Look at Thomas Sheraton’s Beds
Cabinet making and upholstery combined to create expressive beds.
Mattress Filling Machines
A mattress filling machine that pumped cotton batting into a presewn mattress cover assembly. After being filled with cotton, the end was sewn shut and button tufts were added to give the mattress stability.
The “State” Bed, China
In China, the “state” bed evolved from a simple elevated platform to an elaborate piece of furniture with enclosed sides and a simple cotton mattress.
Enclosed Beds, the 1700’s and Prior
Expensive, exotic textiles hung from the tester or canopy creating a private portion of a great hall or room. The curtains also helped to eliminate drafts.
Boyington’s Cabinet Folding Bed
Open and closed, the Boyington Folding Bed mimicked a cabinet when compressed.
The “REX” Folding Bed Spring
The “king of all bed springs”, it could be used on wood, iron or brass beds. Durable. Comfortable. Vermin proof. And Sanitary.
The Folding Bed, or “Press Bed”
Press beds had been popular in Europe for centuries, but American ingenuity and creative spirit gave folding combo furniture beds a new “twist”.