We have probably all heard of the old expressions “snug as a bug in a rug” and “sleep tight”, and they conjure up such a warm, cosy picture in our minds, but the true meaning of these phrases are quite different! They make reference back to the good old days when the beds were infested with bugs and “sleep tight” comes from the 16th century when mattresses were placed on the top of ropes which needed tightening regularly.
So, tonight when you tuck down for the night perhaps spare a thought for our ancestors and wonder how they must have felt at bedtime!
Neolithic Period – Its 10,000 years ago when the very first primitive beds were heard of.
3400 BC – It was the ingenious Egyptians who thought of raising a pallet off the ground away from the draughts. Tutankhamen had a bed made of gold and ebony, whilst the commoners slept on beds made from palm leaves heaped in the corner of the room.
The Roman Empire – The innovative romans invented the first real luxury beds. They were highly adorned with gold, silver and bronze. Mattresses were made out of feathers, hay, wool and reeds. It is said they were also the first to invent the water bed.
The Renaissance Period – During this time that mattresses were made from straw and pea shucks, very often feathers stuffed into course ticks and then often covered in the most sumptuous velvets, brocade and silks.
16th and 17th Centuries – It is during this time when the mattresses were stuffed with straw or down and placed on top of a latticework of rope, hence the term “sleep tight”.
18th Century – During this period beds were made from cast iron and cotton mattresses. They were so much more hygienic as they used an area far less attractive to vermin and bed bugs.
1865 – the first bed with coil springs was made and patented
1930 – this saw the introduction of inner sprung mattresses along with bases that were upholstered
1940 – from North American came the futon
1950 – foam rubber mattresses and also pillows were manufactured
1960 – the trendy water bed was introduced
1980 – the airbed was launched
1990 – The Americans were the first to produce the “queen size” mattress
Which takes us to the 2000’s where we have so much choice in the way of bedroom furniture. Nowadays we have the choice of memory foam mattresses, air beds, water beds and hi tec adjustable beds.
So, tonight when you snuggle down in your warm and comfy beds lets just remember how lucky we are to live in this day and age!
