subject: Memory Foam Mattress: From Nasa To Your Bedroom! [print this page] Did you know that the memory foam mattress was developed by NASA? That is correct. National Aeronautics Space Administration researchers in the 1970s needed to develop a substance that could help astronauts in space find relief from the g-forces they experienced during a lift-off. One crucial element discovered during the research was that by using a foam material that conforms to each persons shape and body, and holding this conformity the g-forces could be reduced and comfort found.
What they found though was that while creating a foam mould around each individual astronauts body could make this happen, any subsequent movement would take the astronaut out of this position, creating incorrect and unhealthy pressure points against the body. The solution was to invent a new foam material that was visco-elastic which had the wonderful property of being able to conform to a person's shape, but then come back to a normal shape once the pressure was removed from the foam. This could allow an even distribution of pressure or body weight over the entire surface of the foam, but quickly adapt to any movements of the body.
This amazing discovery transformed the world of mattresses, and a large foam-producing company in Sweden began to experiment with the foam to perfect the memory foam mattress for home and consumer use. In the early 1990s memory foam mattresses were launched in North America. Soon afterwards, a host of manufacturers in Canada, the United States and the UK began to develop their own versions of the memory foam mattress, which allowed for great competition in the marketplace and enabled consumers to choose from a broad variety of options and price points.
You might ask yourself what is it that gives foam memory? You need to begin with a synthetic polyurethane foam material, and then supplement it with chemicals which add an increase in weight (or density) to the foam. When these chemicals are added, a non-toxic, visco-elastic foam material is created. In the world of mattresses, visco-elastic is interchangeable with memory foam.
There is much more to the story of the memory foam mattress, but one thing is certain: sleepers across the world love how it contours to their body and gives them a beautiful, restful nights sleep.
The experts at www.memoryfoamshop.com offer a wide range of memory foam mattresses on the Internet. From Single to King Size, with a number of options, they work to bring you the best memory foam products, with outstanding customer service including free shipping to the UK. Visit them today.
