Beds & Associates

Beds are something which we take for granted on a daily basis. After a hard and long day at work, a lot of us are just ready to hit the sack. But, how many of us know that the beds we sleep on has a history as well. In this article, we will explore the the emergence of beds as tool for rest and relaxation throughout time memorial.

According to Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed, beds can be defined as " a large piece of furniture which is used as a place to sleep, and as a primary place for relaxation." Another definition of beds can be found at Oxford Advance Learner's Dictionary at http://www.oxfordadvancedlearnersdictionary.com/dictionary/bed, which defines a bed as "a piece for furniture for lying on".

Modern beds nowadays come complete with headboads, mattresses or footboards. Since, lying our head flat on the bed is not advisable as it may lead to neck problems, the pillow has become an essential accessory to beds. Bedsheets and bedspreads have also become essential accessories to beds.

The history of beds as we know it can be divided into several eras which are:-

1) the Ancient World beds

2) the Medieval Europe beds

3) the Renaissance and Modern Europe beds

4) Modern beds

Each of these areas would be discussed in detail as i am sure that many of us do not know that the beds which we sleep on evernight has evolved so much.

1) the Ancient World beds

The beds during those times were made from piles of straw or palm leaves heaped together to make a raised platform. The platform was raised to prevent the occupants from being in contact with dirt and pests. The earliest known beds which were excavated in Scotland and were carbon dated to be between 3200 BC and 2200 BC were made from raised boxes made of stone. These beds were said to be owned by the wealthy citizens. In Ancient Egypt, the beds were raised at such a high level that they built steps so that they could ascend to their beds. These beds, were also only available to the elite.

2) the Medieval Europe beds

Some historical evidence found on medieval Europe's beds were from the ancient Germans who lay on the floor where their "bed" were made from leaves and animal skins. The beds progressed in the Middle Ages when they began laying carpets on the floor. In 13th century Medieval Europe, the beds became more luxurious as the the beds were then made of wood and had intricate carvings along it.

In the 14th century, woordwork was still as beds but they were covered in more elaborate furnishings such as silk, velvet and cloth. It has to note that it was during this time, that feather beds became prized possesion.

In the 15th century, the beds became longer as in they were about 6 - 8 feet long. However, as those days, people used to carry all their belongings (including the beds) whenever they more, the heavier beds became a problem. This heavy beds were soon reduced to lighter beds in the 16th century.

3) the Renaissance and Modern Europe beds

The Renaissance time began from the 17th century onwards. It was from the 17th century that the beds were known as "the century of magnificient beds". An example of this magnificent beds could be found King Louis XIV bed's where his bed's had rich embroidery covered in velvet and gold.

In the 18th century, iron beds began appearing. This four posted bed was also common during this period until the middle of the 19th century.

4) Modern beds

From the 19th century onwards, beds have evolved to an extent that we now have various choices of beds, ie, from wood-based beds to iron beds, The design has also adapted a more modern outlook where we don't have intricate designs or our beds are not covered in velvet cloth. Simplicity is the key for modern beds.

Across the world today, there are various types of bed availble. The list of types of beds is described below:-

1. Adjustable bed - bed which can be adjusted to a range of different positions.
2. Air bed - bed which uses inflated mattresses which is connected to an air pump. To use the bed, one has to use to air pump to inflate the bed. To discontinue use of this bed, one has to deflate the air.
3. Bassinet - bed which is specifically for newborn babies and infants.
4. Box bed - This bed is in the form of a box with roofs, sides and ends as well as opening with two sliding panels or shutters.
5. Brass bed - bed which is made from brass and or is a bed which is brass plated. A brass plated bed is a cheap bed of iron and this type of bed is known as a false brass bed.
6. Bunk bed - bed which usually has two beds, which is usually one bed on top of the other bed.
7. Loft bed - This bed is similar to a bunk bed but this type of bed has storage space underneath.
8. Captain's bed - This bed is a platform bed with storage compartment built underneath. Another name for this bed is chest bed or cabin bed .
9. Camp bed - This bed is a temporary and portable bed used by armies. This bed is also known as a cot .
10. Canopy bed - This bed is similar to a four poster bed but the drapes are at a higher much level.
11. Curtain bed - This is a bed with curtains on all sides.
12. Daybed - This type of bed refers to a bed which is a sofa during the day and a bed at night.
13. Futon - This a traditional Japanese bed.
14. Four posted bed - This bed has posts at all four sides.
15. Hammock - This is a piece of suspended fabric which acts as a bed for afternoon naps.
16. Hideaway bed - This is a bed which can be folded and kept as another piece of furniture.
17. Hospital bed - This bed has wheels to assist re-location and is placed in hospitals.
18. Infant bed - This bed is for babies and infants and is also known as crib or cot .
19. Iron bed - This bed is made using iron and steel and was widely used in the 1800s.
20. Kang bed stove - This is a ceramic room heater which is used as a platform for beds.
21. Manjaa - This bed is made of tied ropes to the wooden frame of the bed This bed is a typical Indian bed.
22. Mourning bed - This is a canopied bed used in funeral homes.
23. Murphy bed - This is a bed which can be hinged onto the wall to save space.
24. Platform bed - This bed is made by placing a mattress on a solid raised surface.
25. Roll away bed - This bed is also called cot (which is different from an infant bed which is also cot). This bed is known as roll-away bed because its frame is able to fold and roll so that it can be stored and moved about more easily.
26. Rope bed - This bed is made by crossing ropes to the wooden frame of the bed to support the mattress.
27. Sofa bed - This is a bed which is used as a sofa but can also be converted into a bed at night.
28. State bed - This bed was developed from a canopy bed.
29. Toddler bed - This bed is used for toddlers and small children.
30. Trundle bed - This bed is also known as truckle bed and is stored beneath a twin bed. Another name of this bed is a sleepover bed .
31. Vibrating bed - This bed is generally coin operated. To use it, one has place a certain amount of coins to as to enable the bed to vibrate for a duration of time.
32. Waterbed - This bed is a mattress full of water.

Bed frames which are usually called bed steads are always made of wood or metal. Bed steads is made up of head, foot and rails. There are three types of bed frames which are:-

1. Platform - this type of bed frame is usually used without a box spring.
2. Captain - this type has drawers beneath the frame so as to leave no space wasted.
3. Waterbed - this is a heavy duty frame which is specifically to support the weight of the water in the mattresses.

Apart from bed frames, headboards, footboards and bed rails is now included in the definition of bed frames. Headboards and footboards are made from wood and/or metal and can be either stained, painted or covered in fabric or leather.

Bed rails are attached tp the headboard and footboard and are always made of wood and metal. These are attached to the bed post using knock-down-fittings which enables the bed to be quickly dismantled. The main knock-down-fittings are explained below:-

1) Pin-and-hook fastener . In this method, a slot is cut vertically in the bedpost. Pins are then inserted horizontally so that the pins would intersect the mortise. When complete, one would be able to see part of the horizontal pin at the bottom of the mortise and a part of the a second pin toward the top of the mortise.

2) Plate-and-hook fastener . In this method, an eye-plate is installed horizontally into the bedpost. These hooks are installed on the rail, either as surface mount or recessed. In this instance, the bedpost may require a mortise so as to allow the hooks to fasten to the plate. This is also known as keyhole fastener.

3) Bed bolts . This is also known as through-bolts. In this instance, a hole a drilled through the bedpost. The bolt head is inset and covered with a plug. In the rail, a dowel nut receives the bolt.

Children's bed may usually require bed rails which are placed the sides of the bed. This is to stop the child from falling off the bed. The safety rail can either be made of wood or metal and is done in such a way that it would be easy to remove once the child grows and does not require the rails.

A brief history of the mattress is necessary when we talk about beds. This is because beds and mattresses, nowadays, complement each other.

In the early Roman Empire, mattresses were stuffed with reeds, hay, wool or feathers. It is interesting to note that it was in the late Roman Empire that waterbeds were introduced. The waterbeds were basic in that the occupant of the bed would recline in a cradle of warm water until drowsy and once asleep, the occupant would be lifted onto a mattresses and continued to be rocked in bed.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, mattresses were stuffed with straws and placed on top of wooden beds. In the 18th century, cotton mattresses were introduced. Later in the 18th centure, the first spring coil beds were introduced and this was then patented.

In the 1930's. innerspring mattresses and upholstered materials were used as mattresses. Futon's were introduced in the 1940's and in the 1950's. foam rubber mattresses and pillows were introduced. In the 1960's, the first modern waterbed was introduced and in the 1980's, airbeds were introduced. In the 1990's, spacious sleeping became the necessity and in the year 2000's onwards, a new range of innerspring mattresses designs, new type of foam mattreses as well as airbeds and waterbeds. Pillowtop mattresses became a popular innovation in luxury. This type of mattresses offered an extra layer of soft cushioning and a single no-flip-side mattresses are also common nowadays.