Today, while we hug our cotton soft pillows and sleep, we actually experience the result of a thousand -year -old evolution. The history of the pillow is actually a reflection of humanity’s search for comfort.
We travel to the history of the pillow from wooden blocks to smart pillows.
The first pillows were not comfort, but for the preservation.
The first pillows had nothing to do with the present, as you would assume, or even had no. Archaeological findings dating back to the 7000s BC shows that in ancient Mesopotamia and Egyptian civilizations, people are based on stone or ceramic blocks. There were even complex patterns carved on these pillows. Why was this kind of harsh material used?
In fact, the goal was completely practical: to prevent insects and other pests from entering the ear, nose and mouth. So comfort was the second place at that time.
Symbol of luxury in ancient times: Silk and velvet pillows
Over time, the human beings discovered that the pillow could be a relaxing object, not only the observer. In ancient China, the rich used bamboo pillows coated with silk fabrics, while the people were content with easier cotton versions.
For the Chinese, the pillows were a symbol of luck at once; It was believed that the motifs processed on them fired the souls.
In Roman and Greek civilizations, the pillow became a little more luxurious. Velvet, leather and even gold embroidered pillows became indispensable for the nobles. But even in this period, the pillows were often harsh because software was thought to cause diseases.
The use of pillows in the Middle Ages was devoted to religion and social status.
In Middle Ages Europe, the use of pillows became a bit strange. The church criticized the use of long respite pillows for thinking that the pillow symbolizes luxury and laziness. In fact, in some periods, only patients, elderly or pregnant women were allowed to use pillows while giving birth.
However, the nobles continued to use pillows as a symbol of status. While the bedrooms were decorated with huge pillows, the people had to settle for easy pillows filled straw or wool.
Democratization of the Pillows with the Industrial Revolution
With the influence of industrialization in the 19th century, pillow production had a great transformation. Thanks to the mass production of materials for cotton, wool and bird feathers, the pillows have now become accessible for everyone. With the invention of spring beds, the pillows gained softer and more ergonomic designs.
In this period, especially in the Victorian period in the UK, pillows were used not only for sleeping, but also decoration. The gigantic lace pillows became one of the indispensable accessories of dwellings.
And 20th century: from Memory Foam to orthopedic pillows
The 20th century was the scene of revolution developments in pillow technology. NASA’s Memory Foam (memory foam) material developed for astronauts entered the pillow and changed the sleep comfort. Now the orthopedic pillows, which protect the neck and spine health, entered our lives.
Different alternatives, such as latex, gel and even water -filled pillows, emerged. Everyone can find a pillow compared to their own way of sleep.
Smart pillows; It can measure sleep quality, prevent snoring and even change form compared to your sleep position.
In addition, with the increase in ecological consciousness, organic cotton, bamboo fiber and pillows made from recycled equipment were also recognized.
Maybe the pillows in the future will even analyze our dreams during sleep! Who knows?
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