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The History of the WaterbedAccording to Wikipedia the waterbed was first seen sometime in the early 1800's. Labeled the 'Hydrostatic Bed', it was invented by Dr. Neil Arnott and was first used professionally in 1873, at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. Its original purpose was to prevent bedsores on the bedridden including invalid's, the incapacitated and the ailing who would be flat on their back for an extended period of time. It mainly consisted of a large tub of water covered by a rubber-type overlay sealed with varnish to prevent leaks. It was topped off with regular bedding and covers. This of course helped the patient by being more buoyant and less stringent on the body, and having a more positive effect on the patients’ health. There are other mentions of water being used for a bed in various points in history. - Over 3,000 years ago in Persia, goat skins were filled with water and used by the elderly, and probably also royalty. - In 1883 Dr. William Hooper of England patented a version of a waterbed. - Harrods department store sold waterbeds via direct mail in 1895. However, all the above methods never gained wide acceptance, most notably because of the inefficient method of holding the water, and also regulating a comfortable temperature. Then in the 1960s, vinyl came along. It was this material that led the way to waterbeds becoming the sensation they would become. In 1968 the modern waterbed was born at San Francisco State University by students Charles Prior Hall, Paul Heckel, and Evan Fawkes. Using it as a project for his Master's Thesis, Hall was its main designer and architect. Amazingly, his first attempts included cornstarch (too uncomfortable) and Jell-O (which was the wrong consistency and temperature, and began to decompose). Ultimately he used a vinyl bag (or mattress) which was filled with water. Weighing in at around 300 pounds, he even had the foresight to keep the water heated, replete with a temperature control device. While demonstrating his 'pleasure pit', it became quite popular with the students at the University. Hall remarked "Everybody just ended up frolicking on the waterbed"......whatever that might have meant, especially while involving college students. Hall did eventually receive a patent and began to design, build and market waterbeds with his company 'Innerspace Environments'. It started a veritable revolution in sleep.....and sex. Rather than just inventing a new way to sleep comfortably, Hall unintendedly also provided a new way to enjoy sex. His bed invention became a wild craze, especially during the '80s and '90s, with sales comprising 22% of all mattress sales in the U.S. alone. Early waterbeds were constructed with a single (free flow) chamber and cause displacement of the water, taking time for the water to settle down. More modern waterbeds employ more sophisticated 'motionless' methods, usually involving separate chambers and fiber batting. Even better, waterbeds can be made using a combination of interconnected air and water chambers, producing a much more 'waveless' environment. Check out our selection of waterbed mattresses. There are generally two types of waterbeds on the market: Softside waterbeds - Looks like a conventional mattress, you can even use standard bed frames, sheets, and covers. The bladder itself is zipped inside of a cover and held in place by foam bolsters (or cushioning) around the edge. Hardside waterbeds - A traditional looking waterbed frame with four 'hard sides', basically used to 'hold' the vinyl bladder in place. The deck below the bladder is made of plywood. From Persia 3000 years ago until today, waterbeds have been a unique way to enjoy sleep. Many people love them, and the comfort they provide. After all, you will spend a third of your life in bed..... better make good use of it! |
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