Who Made the Pillow and How It Changed Sleep Forever

Do you reach for a pillow without thinking? Have you ever wondered why? It goes back thousands of years, and the answer may be more interesting than you think. First, we must ask, how did we get from stone pillows to the soft pillows we are used to?

Let’s Talk About the Historical First Pillow

Pillows as we know them today were born long ago in ancient Mesopotamia, 7,000 BC, to be precise. They weren’t exactly soft; rather, they were more rigid, and, in most cases, were carved out of stone. In ancient Mesopotamia, pillows were mostly used to prevent bugs from crawling into the sleeper’s mouth, nose, or ears. They also functioned to show one’s status; only wealthy members of society owned pillows. Ancient headrests of the elite in ancient Egypt were made of stone or wood and were placed in graves with the elite to be used in the afterlife. In ancient China, pillows were made of very rigid materials, such as bronze, bamboo, and stone.

In fact, the evolution of headrests shows the emphasis placed on protection and status, as opposed to the headrest’s actual function, which was to help one sleep more comfortably. If you wish to see the improvement of sleep products built to meet comfort needs, visit our Pillows collection.

How Civilizations Influenced the Development of Pillows

Greece and Rome

The Greeks and Romans were among the first in the world to begin using softer materials. They constructed pillows using slabs of wood, stuffed them with feathers, and used cotton and reeds. This brought about the transition of pillows used for rest versus pillows used for placement and ceremonies.

Europe's Middle Ages

Only the upper class of Europe’s Middle Ages used soft pillows, while the common population slept with sacks stuffed with straw. English King Henry VIII even enforced a ban on soft pillows, permitting only pregnant women the use of pillows; that’s how exclusive they had become.

A More Rigid Perspective in the East

Asian cultures, including both China and Japan, used hard pillows for centuries as it was their belief that hard neck support was healthy. This way of thinking ultimately resulted in the hard and semi-rigid cervical and neck pillows used to promote spinal alignment.

The Industrial Revolution Changed Everything

The mass production in the 1800s allowed soft pillows to become ubiquitous. Cotton and feather pillows became household staples. This period of history marked the beginning of treating pillows as a sleep necessity and not a luxury.

When Were Pillows Invented for Comfort, Not Just Survival?

The focus on developing pillows for comfort began in the 20ᵗʰ century. Memory foam was invented in the 1960s by NASA and was later used in sleep products. Now there are pillows created for different types of sleepers, as well as to help with neck pain and improve alignment. Memory foam wedge pillows, for instance, are the products of thousands of years of development.

What Modern Pillow Science Tells Us About Sleep

The supports provided for your neck and head, along with the benefits of improved sleep and back support, have undergone years of evolution and modern sleep science. For that reason, modern-day pillows have become much more than just flat, comfort pillows. Our Cushions & Support range, especially those with ergonomic support, includes pillows that have been designed with these considerations.

Pillow Designs Through the Ages

Pillow designs evolved from simple stones and grass to the modern-day bamboo. Historically, all pillow designs incorporate their makers' views on the importance of rest and recovery. For the first time in all of history, the modern-day makers of bamboo pillows have combined natural products with their sophisticated designs and ergonomics. A modern-day pillow design is superior to any ancient Egyptian pillow design.

Having a great sleep is a product of many layers, and Recline has combined all of the necessary products for you to complete your collection. From the most modern-day technology of bamboo pillows to the complete line of high restorative mattresses from Recline, we have it all.