The 411 on Memory Foam Beds

You’ve seen the famous commercials where people jump on one side of the bed while a glass of wine sits precariously on the other side, miraculously unaffected. You’ve heard how memory foam mattresses can instantly conform to a sleeper’s body, providing perfect comfort and support. But, are memory foam mattresses really as great as people are saying?
The truth is, they really are great and here’s why…

Memory foam was invented in 1966 at a research center contracted by NASA that was working to improve aircraft cushion safety. The temperature-sensitive memory foam they created was initially referred to as “slow spring back foam” and “temper foam.” Created by feeding gas into a polymer matrix, the foam has an open-cell solid structure that matches pressure against it, yet slowly springs back to its original shape. This new material was not only comfortable but durable as well.

Eventually, in the early ‘80s, NASA released this material to the public domain and a Swedish manufacturer took advantage and eventually created the, now famous, “Tempur-pedic Swedish Mattress.” At this point, memory foam mattresses came to be used extensively in hospitals because it was excellent for helping people with gangrene and pressure sores. Eventually, the cost of memory foam came down and it became used extensively in sleep systems, pillows and mattress toppers.

Some Big Benefits of Memory Foam

More Supportive
A memory foam mattress is made from dense foam substantial enough to support a lot of weight. Memory foam’s unique characteristics give it both the support of a firm mattress while retaining the comfort of a soft mattress.

Spring back
A memory foam mattress can spring back to its original shape even after you’ve slept on it all night. This prevents it from prematurely sagging and gives sleepers a fresh experience every night.

Temperature sensitivity
Some memory foam mattresses react to your body heat and feel as though they “melt away” when you lay on them. After you wake up in the morning the memory foam will revert to its normal shape. Conversely, some memory foam mattresses will feel firmer in the colder months.

Reduced motion transfer
Memory foam mattresses are great at eliminating motion transfer between sleep partners. When one partner tosses the other doesn’t turn.

Durability
Memory foam mattresses are guaranteed to last longer because the best memory foam mattresses are made from very heavy, dense materials and their spring-back nature allows them to retain their original shape over time. Memory foam mattresses also have less moving parts, springs, etc. so there are fewer things that can go wrong.