What is a Memory Foam Mattress?
Memory Foam is a foam made from polyurethane. The mattress gets its name from the molding that occurs when the foam reacts to a person’s body heat.
History of Memory Foam
In 1966, NASA’s Ames Research Center was looking to improve the comfort and safety of aircraft cushions. It created the foam by feeding a gas into a polymer matrix. When conducting tests, researchers noticed that the foam sprung back to original form after something had been pressed against it. This was a success, and after its use in aircraft applications, NASA worked with Dynamic Systems, Inc. to sell the form commercially. Initially, the product was sold in things such as medical equipment, table pads, and sports equipment to ensure safety.
Memory foam was too expensive initially for the public. The product had a hard time going more mainstream, as many companies did not want to take a risk on its promises. One company did, however, Fagerdala World Foams, and which eventually went onto create its leading product, what we know today as Tempur-Pedic. For all of you who own these types of mattresses, you know full well that sleeping on one is very much like the heavenly feeling of sun tanning yourself on a beach or by the comfort of your own home inside the safe boundaries of a nice cozy fence around your pool with a slight breeze on your browning face. But it’s almost better because you won’t sweat at all, as you’ll be inside your bedroom in the air conditioning.
Innovations over time such as gel memory foam products that control heat as needed were created. To control odor, things like charcoal, aloe vera (which can also be used right after you spend too much time by that cozy pool ;), and green tea were added to the gel memory foam, as well as bamboo to control moisture levels in the mattress. Today, we are open to more and more options with the memory foam mattress, as it continues to grow in its innovation.
Memory Foam Today
Today, memory foam is used for many commercial and non-commercial uses, aside from it’s popularity as strictly a mattress product.
In the medical world, memory foam is commonly used with patients who must remain in bed for long periods of time, so that pressure is relieved, as it normally wouldn’t with an everyday mattress. Things like sores, and body aches are reduced with this mattress. It is also used for things such as wheelchair cushions and pillows to help with neck and back problems in patients.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Memory Foam
Today, we are able to use the material for our own at home comfort. Memory foam is often associated with a more restful sleep, less pain and increased relaxation in its customers. A great advantage of the foam is its versatility in many products. In addition to mattresses, it is used in pillows, blankets, pads, and chairs for everyday use. In addition, for your satisfaction, many mattress companies allow you to test and send back things such as mattresses and mattress products, if you are not completely satisfied with their quality. This will save you both time and money in the mattress world.
Though memory foam does have its advantages, there a select few disadvantages of the product in general. Many may not know that emissions given off by the mattress can cause irritation in different body systems. Things such as headaches, dizziness and respiratory irritation are possible and do occur. Also, if you are a caretaker, it is important to take heed when leaving children or small babies on memory foam unattended, as they may suffocate. They may find hard to move around as needed on the material. In addition, memory foam in general can also lose its elasticity over time, if it is not adjusted properly to body weight and shape. This can be a disadvantage for any mattress buyer.