Spied on a friend alinaveter a picture showing a very cool-looking pillow and suddenly thought that I hadn’t seen any materials about these products in LJ, without which it would have become much harder to live. :)

I found an article about the history of the pillow business, I found a bunch of pictures - pillows, pouches, rollers.
Different in form and content. Plump and flat. Square, oval, in the form of animals and some things ...


on Yandex.Photos

Pillow history

Although we cannot imagine life without a pillow, initially pillows were used only by wealthy people. The first pillows were found in the ancient Egyptian pyramids.

The pillows were invented by them in order not to spoil the intricate hairstyle in a dream. The pillow was then curved planks on a stand.

On the pillows, they began to depict gods who protected the sleeping person from dark forces, mystical plants, animals.

Until the 19th century, wooden pillows were common in Japan.

Traditionally, Chinese pillows were made of stone, porcelain, or metal. They were also solid rectangular supports. Some of the pillows were more artistic and were rather small sculptural figures depicting people, animals and household items.

In Africa, hard wood and stone pillows were also used.

The first soft pillows appeared in Greece. Here comfort was more appreciated, and Greek pillows have no connection with Egyptian pillows. The bed was a cult item for the Greeks, they spent most of the day on it. Therefore, it was in Greece that soft mattresses and pillows were invented.

The increasing complexity of dye-making and sewing techniques led to the transformation of pillows into an object of art, and richly decorated pillows became an expensive commodity.

In the 5th century BC, every wealthy Greek had a pillow. The sizes of the pillow were different. They were filled with animal hair, grass, down, and bird feathers. The cover was made of leather or fabric, it could be either rectangular or square.

In ancient Rome, at first, they were mistrustful of pillows. But soon the Romans appreciated pillows, especially down pillows. For the manufacture of down pillows, geese down was used. Often, military commanders released their subordinates from military service and sent them to the extraction of down for pillows.

Then it was believed that pillows have a magical effect. Nero, for example, put his snakeskin bracelet under his pillow so that his sleep was stronger. Octavian Augustus wanted to get the pillow of a Roman patrician. He was mired in debt, and all his property was sold. Emperor Augustus ordered the debtors to purchase a pillow, according to him he wanted to own a pillow on which a person with so many debts slept peacefully.

There are a lot of interesting stories related to pillows. Here is some of them.

Indian pillows helped the great Buddha to restore health. Buddha weakened from hunger and self-torture, he was lying on the ground barely alive. And suddenly he caught the wonderful scent of the leaves of a tree growing nearby. Buddha got up from the ground, stuffed a bag with these leaves. This is how the pillow turned out, which the Buddha put under his head and fell asleep. After sleeping on a wonderful pillow, Buddha began to feel better, he had the strength to go further on the journey.

"Kamasutra" says that ordinary Indians also used pillows. This love treatise was compiled on the basis of knowledge accumulated over more than three thousand years. And some of the poses from the "Kamasutra" cannot be reproduced without a pillow.

In Arab countries, pillows were the most popular. The houses of the sultans were decorated with embroidered painted pillows with tassels and fringes. Richly embroidered and decorated pillows were a sign of the owner's wealth.

In the Middle Ages, they began to use special small pads under the feet, which protected the feet from the cold. The floors in the castles were stone; heating could not warm up large rooms during the frosty period. Therefore, foot pillows were popular in those days.
It was at that time that prayer pillows began to be used, they were placed under the knees during long prayers. Horse riding pillows were also common and cushioned saddles.

In some European countries, there was a funny custom. Married men put an ax under the pillow before going to bed. It was believed that if you say "Give birth to a boy" to your wife at night, a boy will be born.

An amazing fact, but in Russia the pillow appeared in wide use only in the twentieth century. And even at the very beginning, it was considered an expensive household item: poor people put even just clothes under their heads before going to bed.
During the Christmas holidays, fir branches were hidden in pillows, which brought happiness and helped fulfill desires. Many divinations are associated with pillows. For example, in order to find out the name of the betrothed, the girls put a twig from a broom under the pillows.
In Russia, embroidered pillows have always been part of the dowry. Somewhat later, decorative pillows appeared. The poor stuffed pillows with hay and horsehair; down and feather pillows were considered luxury.
And those who possessed pillows kept them and passed them on to children. The tradition of passing them on by inheritance remains today. And that is great. Maybe your grandmother once used your pillow too?
How nice it is to feel the connection of generations through an ordinary thing. Imagine how long it took your grandmother or mom to collect the fluff to the fluff for your pillow. It is truly worthy of love and respect.

Down comforters and pillows have been and remain an integral part of the cultural tradition of many peoples of the world.

And orange circles!))

Although we cannot at all imagine life in the absence of a pillow, in the beginning, pillows were used only by wealthy people. The first pillows were discovered in the ancient Egyptian pyramids. The pillows were invented by them so as not to spoil the outlandish haircut in a dream. The pillow was then already curved planks on a stand. On the pillows they began to depict the gods who fenced off the dormant from the black forces. Until the 19th century, woody pads were common in Japan. Traditionally, Chinese pads were made of stone, porcelain, or alloy. They are also solid rectangular supports.

Interesting fact number 1: The first pliable pillows originated in Greece. Convenience was more appreciated here, and Greek pillows have practically no relationship with Egyptian pillows. The bed was a cult item for the Greeks, they spent most of the day on it. Therefore, it was specifically in Greece that flexible mattresses and pillows were invented.

Interesting fact number 2: The increasing complexity of dye production and sewing techniques has led to the transformation of pillows into an item of skill, luxuriously beautifully designed pillows have become an expensive product.

Interesting fact number 3: In the 5th century BC, every wealthy Greek had a pillow. The sizes of the pillow varied. They were filled with animal hair, grass, down and bird feathers. The cover was made of leather or fabric, it was given the opportunity to be both rectangular, but also square in shape.

Interesting fact number 4: In ancient Rome, pillows were initially distrustful. But soon the Romans considered pillows, especially downy ones. Geese down was used for the production of down pillows. Often, military leaders freed their own subordinates from military service and sent them out to get fluff for pillows.

Interesting fact number 5: Then they thought that pillows wield magical powers. Nero, for example, put his own snakeskin bracelet under his pillow to make his sleep stronger.

Interesting fact number 6: Octavian Augustus wanted the pillow of the 1st Roman patrician. He was stuck in debt, and all his belongings were sold. Emperor Augustus gave the order to purchase a pillow for the debtors, according to his statement he wanted to get himself a pillow on which a man with so many debts was serenely dozing.

Interesting fact number 7: But Tiberius, the heir to Augustus, was killed by a pillow at the age of 70. There are 2 versions of the situation with a sad result: Tiberius was poisoned, although the poison did not give the necessary effect. Or he was starved and completely weak. Tiberius lay in bed unconscious; all the Romans were content with this news. Caligula promised to ascend the throne. And the powerless ruler was strangled by his own pillow.

Interesting fact number 8: The pillow was thought to be the cause of a thousand deaths. Malyuta Skuratov strangled the Metropolitan who had renounced blessing Ivan the Terrible with a pillow. They were strangled with pillows: the son of Peter I, Prince Alexei, the Russian ruler Paul I, the head of the Vatican, John X, and the ruler of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie.

Interesting fact number 9: But there are many more positive situations associated with pillows. Indian pillows helped the big Buddha to regain his well-being. Buddha was weak from hunger and self-torture, he was lying on the ground barely alive. And suddenly he caught the amazing smell of leaves growing up near a tree. The Buddha stood up and filled a bag with these leaves. So the pillow came out, which the Buddha put under his head and fell asleep. After sleeping on a wondrous pillow, Buddha began to feel better, he found the strength to go further on the road.

Interesting fact number 10: Natural pillow fillers are often much more expensive than artificial ones, they can cause allergies and require extra care. Some people are normal about these shortcomings and willingly purchase home textiles with natural fillers.
One of the leading manufacturers of quality pillows with natural fillers is the company. Pillows from the manufacturer Valetex are made of environmentally friendly materials that are completely safe for humans.

The following materials are used as fillers:
1. Sheep wool - a filler that has a beneficial effect on human well-being and health. A pillow with sheep's wool will keep you warm in winter and keep you cool in summer thanks to the air trapped between the fibers. The special structure of the hairs helps to absorb excess moisture and evaporate it outside.

2. Camel wool - has good thermal insulation properties, will provide warmth and comfortable sleep even in the coldest weather. When heated to the temperature of a human body, camel wool begins to release lanolin - a natural woolen wax that has healing effects. Lanolin is very quickly absorbed into the skin, after which its healing effect on blood circulation and joints begins.

3. Merino wool - its fibers are able to retain a significant volume of air due to their natural density. This provides a stable and comfortable temperature for a sound and healthy sleep. A pillow filled with merino wool has medium hardness, removes accumulated static electricity, and provides a certain protection against electromagnetic fields. Merino wool provides micromassage of the neck, which significantly improves blood circulation and oxygen supply to the brain.

4. Down is a fairly popular natural filler for pillows, it is believed that it is almost an ideal material for a comfortable sleep. Very often, about 10% of a feather is added to the down to create the optimal consistency of the filler. The down is very light, so the down pillow will be practically weightless, unlike products with woolen filler. Down has the ability to roll into lumps after a certain time of use, so the product requires additional care. The main disadvantage is that fluff causes allergies in some people.

5. Bamboo fiber is a relatively new natural filling for pillows, it is distinguished by its extraordinary softness and elasticity. Young bamboo shoots are used to make the fiber. Finished threads have a small thickness, bend well and quickly regain their shape. Bamboo fiber absorbs and evaporates moisture well, which contributes to the creation of the necessary microclimate during sleep.

6. Eucalyptus - a material made from the fibers of this tree has healing properties useful for humans. Eucalyptus fiber has antibacterial properties, does not absorb foreign odors. Eucalyptus fibers have a beneficial effect on the skin, provide it with softness and protect against premature aging.

Interesting fact number 11: The Kamasutra states that ordinary Indians also used pillows. This amorous treatise was compiled on the basis of knowledge accumulated over more than 3 thousand years. And some poses from "Kamasutra" are impossible to reproduce in the absence of a pillow.

Interesting fact number 12: In the Arab states, pillows enjoyed the greatest reputation. The houses of the sultans were decorated with embroidered ornamented pillows with tassels and fringes. Richly embroidered and crowned pillows were a symbol of the owner's wealth.

Interesting fact number 13: In the Middle Ages, they began to adopt specialized small pillows under the feet, which protected the feet from frost. The floors in the castles were stone, the heating did not have the ability to warm up great buildings in the cold season. Therefore, foot pillows were popular in those days. It was at that time that they began to adopt pillows for prayer, they were placed under the knees during the period of long prayers. Horse riding pillows were also common and cushioned the saddle.

Interesting fact number 14: A funny custom was present in various European countries. The married representatives of the stronger sex laid down an ax under the pillow before going to bed. It was believed that when to tell his wife at night during the fulfillment of the marriage duty "Give birth to a boy", a boy will certainly appear.

Interesting fact number 15: On the Christmas holidays, fir branches were hidden in pillows, which brought bliss and could help fulfill desires. Many divinations are paired with pillows. For example, to find out the surname of the betrothed, a young woman put a twig from a broom under the pillows.

Interesting fact number 16: In Russia, embroidered pillows were and remain a share of the dowry. Decorating pillows were discovered somewhat later. The poor stuffed pillows with hay and horsehair, down and feather pillows were a luxury.

Interesting fact number 18: You've probably noticed that a brand new feather pillow is lighter than a worn one. When plucking feathers from birds automatically, pieces of tissue remain at the base, with which ticks have every chance of feeding for more than one year. But the worst thing is the dust mite. On an area of ​​1 centimeter, there are 2 feathers of them within 200, on one feather within two thousand, but in a pillow within 3 million.

Modern man rarely thinks about the history of things around him, without which it is difficult to imagine his existence. They have come down to us, having come a long way of modifications, in the form in which we love and know them. One such item is a pillow.

Amazing facts from pillow history

The first representatives of this bedding appeared before our era. History does not know the fact who was one of the first who decided to put a semblance of this object under his head. But the first pillows were discovered in the pyramids of the Egyptians. They were used to preserve complex and bulky hairstyles, not to sleep comfortably.

Pillow in Russia:

These products in Russia, decorated with embroidery, were part of the dowry. It included six pillows. Four of them were intended for the bride and groom, and two beautiful little dummies were for decoration. Poor people filled their pillows with dried grass and ponytail hair. Down and feather options were a great luxury. WITH

On Christmas Day, spruce twigs were hidden in them, which contributed to the fulfillment of desires.

This object strangled Metropolitan Skuratov when he refused to bless I. the Terrible. The same death was prepared for Alexei, the eldest son of Peter I and Paul I.

Pillow in the countries of the East

The first pillows were made of wood, porcelain, and stone. Such materials were used until the middle of the 19th century. They were decorated with hieroglyphs and various symbols.

In India, it was believed that this item saved the Buddha from self-torture. There is a legend that says that he fell asleep on a sack filled with leaves of a hitherto unknown tree, and when he woke up he was vigorous and healthy.

The first soft pillows

The Greeks spent most of the day in bed. Therefore, it was they who came up with the idea of ​​soft pillows, mattresses. They lovingly stuffed them with wool from various species of animals and down. The materials for them had bright colors, tassels and beautiful fringes. It was in this form that they came to Rome, and later to Europe.

Pillow in ancient Rome

The Romans were initially suspicious of this subject. The first pillows appeared as captured trophies. But later they were appreciated, especially their downy version. Many military commanders gave an exemption to soldiers from duty, and they went to get fluff for pillows.

Magical properties

The Romans in those days, like the Indians, attributed magical properties to this item. Then there were rituals that were performed before going to bed. The well-known emperor Nero previously placed a bracelet made in the shape of a snake under the pillow. Only after that did I go to bed. Such items were supposed to protect sleep.

Symbol of wealth

In North Korea, family wealth was measured by the back of the child's head. If it had a round shape, then this was evidence that the baby sleeps on soft and soft pillows. In poor children, the back of the head was flat. It can be assumed that they did without this item. Or the pillow was very hard.

Even today, in the villages, you can see a slide of pillows of various sizes covered with beautiful lace capes on the beds.
It is difficult to imagine a modern interior without a large number of decorative pillows.

Pillow as a heating pad

During the Middle Ages, foot pillows were quite common. Their owners always carried this item with them. They were placed under the knees during prayer in church. They protected their feet from the cold in stone castles during the ball.

Cash pillows

Cossacks placed pillows under their saddles, in which they kept treasures and prey.

What do you know about airbags that have probably saved millions of lives? Airbacks, which first appeared in cars, changed the safety of cars for the better. Today it is impossible to imagine a modern car without airbags. We've put together the most important and amazing in-car safety systems for you.

1) The first accident involving vehicles in which airbags were installed, occurred in the United States. The accident involved two Chrysler Lebarons equipped with airbags. Both drivers survived.

2) The first car to offer two airbags for the first time as standard, became the Porsche 944 Turbo in 1987.

3) The first car to offer a passenger airbag was the Mercury Monterey.

4) General Motors experimented with airbags in the 1970s. In those years, GM's airbags were very stiff, as the US Highway Safety Insurance Institute reported on more than one occasion, instructing the manufacturer to improve the elasticity of airbacks. Nonetheless, these airbags were the most durable back then.

5) Ford and GM did not sell cars with booster airbags in the 1970s... In 1977, GM stopped installing them on cars. As reported in the New York Times, GM and Ford then lobbied the government unsuccessfully against mandatory airbags for years. The argument was that airbags are imperfect, dangerous, and irrelevant.

It was a lie, as we all know now.

6) GM has been involved in scandals in its long history of airbag development related to the safety of these means of protection for road users. So, in the history of the company there were scandals due to defective airbacks that could work falsely. Also, GM was the first to offer such a pillow:

7) The first generation Citroen C4 has this neat steering wheel in which the only thing moving along it is the rim, but the center of the handlebars in the middle remains in place. Thanks to this design of the steering wheel, it allowed the French to use a pillow in the steering wheel that is best shaped for the human body. Thus, in 2004, Citroen released the world's first car with a cushion of a regular shape.

Here are the airbags for this car:

You can see that the driver's side airbag looks like an inverted egg.

8) First US patent issued for automotive airbags, was registered by John W. Hethrick in 1952. You can still see this original patent. Then it took about 20 years for this invention to actually appear in automobiles.

9) Wondering why airbacks are deployed so quickly and? The fact of the matter is that if the airbags are slightly delayed when deploying, this is very bad. Here's a video about it:

See what happens when the airbag is deployed late? Here's another video that's more dramatic:

10) But airbags do deploy very quickly., and not without reason. Here are footage of the real accident:

As you can see, the driver and passengers are shocked by the impact. But everyone is safe and sound. For example, a front passenger was saved from injury by a side airbag, which worked almost instantly.

Naturally, these are not all the facts about airbags. We would like you to share your favorite pillow facts with us in the comments.

07.02.2020 , 19:10 493

Hotel guests, perhaps, have heard more than once terrible stories that in hotels they do not wash bedspreads for months, and use pillows for years, while they need to be updated much more often. But is it really so? And what else do you need to know about hotel pillows? We will tell you in this article.

When should you change your pillow and why?

Different sources give different data, but almost everywhere you can find a recommendation to change pillows every two years.

In Hilton hotels, down pillows are used for two to three years, and synthetic ones, with proper care and washing, last up to 18-24 months. By the way, this is the shelf life of such pillows.

Of course, we are talking about good hotels. Perhaps, in cheap ones they do it less often. But if you want to relax in comfort and sleep on quality materials, choose hotels that have already proven their quality.

When can products be changed out of schedule?

As mentioned above, pillows are changed every time. But there are times when it needs to be done earlier. Why?

• When outward signs of wear are visible.
• There are stains on the pillow that will not wash off.
• Guests complain of headaches or neck pains and allergic reactions.

All this serves as a reason for replacing the product, because a dissatisfied and sleepy guest is the one who will never return.

Do I need to bring my own pillow if you are allergic?

Don't bother like that. Most likely, the hotel will replace your allergen pillow with another harmless one, as there are usually a lot of them in hotels. You can even ask for another pillow if one is not enough.

"Pillow menu"

In some hotels there are special "menus" in which pillows for every taste are presented: soft and tightly stuffed, down and synthetic, as well as orthopedic. The Conrad Centennial Singapore has items for those who love unusual sensations - with buckwheat filling and even porcelain pillows, which were once popular in China. The guest can get any of them free of charge.

Sometimes you can buy pillows for your home in hotels. For example, in Marriott hotels: there are 12 types of pillows. Homeware is also sold in Sheraton, Hilton and The Ritz-Carlton.

Why is it more comfortable to sleep in hotels?

• In many hotels, maids put several pillows on the bed at once: both large and small. Firstly, this is done so that the client has a feeling of a luxurious life, and secondly, so that the person is simply more comfortable.
• Good hotels use high-quality and expensive pillows that are different from those on which we sleep at home. Size, filler and appearance are the focus of this entire guide.
• As stated earlier, pillows are frequently updated and also provide the customer with several options to choose from. We usually use only one pillow at home and rarely change it.
• Many hotels put microfiber pillows in their rooms and they feel incredibly soft after our downy ones.
• The atmosphere itself also affects sleep: if you are on vacation, it will be easier to fall asleep and wake up in a hotel, since this place is not associated with household chores and does not remind of work.