Memory Foam Mattress

Memory Foam was originally developed by NASA to provide a comfortable material for astronauts to withstand the pressure placed on the human body by G-Forces during a lift-off of space craft, in the early 1970's.
NASA scientist believed the secret to withstanding G-Force was a material that would conform to the shape of the body, and retain its flexibility even after movement by the astronauts.

This visco-elastic material would mold itself to the contours of the astronaut,regain its original
shape once the astronaut moved, and conform once more to the original shape until a new position was achieved. This would allow for even distribution along every pressure point of the astronauts body, protecting it from G-Force, no matter how often a new position was taken.

In the 1980's, a Swedish foam producing company, Fagerdala World Foams took this remarkable discovery and began experiments that would revolutionize commercial mattress manufacturing for consumers around the world.
In 1991 a new mattress was introduced to the people of Sweden by Tempur-Pedic. The benefits of sleeping on this Memory Foam soon made Tempur-Pedic the leading mattress foam seller in Sweden. In 1992, the Memory Foam Mattress by Tempur-Pedic was introduced to consumers in America and Canada and began a decade's long movement of positive feedback from consumers that is still ongoing.

Once the Memory Foam was introduced to North America it was not long before other companies began producing a wide variety of products like pillows, and other specialty items in the upholstery line in a wide range of prices and user options to choose from.

The "memory" is placed in the foam using standard synthetic polyurethane foam products that have been enhanced with chemicals which bring greater strength and density to the foam. This allows the foam to support more weight, and 'spring' back once the weight is shifted across its surface. This combination of chemicals and synthetic polyurethane foam creates a new product; visco-elastic memory foam.

Just as there are differences in grading of traditional spring form mattresses, Memory Foam mattress and other items are graded based on a system that will define the type of memory foam your product is made from. This grading system is based on four identifiers; Tensile, Resilience, Indention Load Deflection (ILD), and Density in Pounds Per Square Foot (Weight).

Indention Load Deflection - ILD is used to grade the compression of the foam based on weight over an area. For example: ILD is a standard measurement based on a 25% compression over a 50 square inch area of a 4' thickness of Memory Foam. The harder the foam is to compress, the higher density of the chemicals in its make-up. The designers of Memory foam products have a deep understanding of the science behind the levels of softness or hardness needed to ensure a comfortable night's sleep on a Memory Foam Mattress, or just being comfortable using another memory foam product. They have taken this knowledge and used it to ensure the manufacture of their products conforms perfectly to the pressure placed on your body as you move during the night. Using a layered effect of softer materials on the mattress topper, and harder density as the layers increase down through the mattress.

Resilience - Memory Foam products are designed to give consumers the best in high quality foam springiness. In order to do this each product is tested for resilience to rebound after pressure is relieved. This ensures the consumer a product that provides pressure point reduction on the surface, but retains firm support for the weight of the body on the lower layers.

Tensile - Since Memory Foam does not stretch and only are compressed during use, tensile strength does not actually apply to Memory Foam products. Only the ILD rating is important for consumers looking at the visco-elastic products. Every Memory Foam mattress is tested out to have a rebound reaction of no less than 8ILD and no more than 12 ILD, with a 10ILD being the optimum rebound rate.

While Memory Foam does not require a foundation, you can use your old box springs to raise the height of the bed. To check for weakness of the foundation, just stand up on the Memory Foam and see if the Memory Foam compresses beneath your feet. You can add stability and strength to an existing foundation by adding 1 inch plywood beneath the Memory Foam, atop the foundation layer.

Memory Foam has been rated superior for use by those who suffer from joint or muscular illnesses. Memory Foam allows the body to be at rest, contouring to the shape of the body without ever sacrificing support, this relieves the pressure points on the body and allows it to rest without adding pain or discomfort, no matter which position you sleep in.