About Memory Foam
What it is, Where it came from, and How it can help you

It is said that visco-elastic memory foam is the greatest breakthrough in the bedding industry since springs were introduced to mattresses back in 1925. It is common knowledge within the industry that memory foam is a better pressure reliever than any other type of material, and this is why it is used in so many different medical applications. Use this resource as an in depth guide to what exactly memory foam is and how it works, and what type of benefits can come from regularly sleeping on a memory foam surface.

Memory foam is said to be viscoelastic and is made from polyurethane. The reason it is called this is that it�s temperature sensitive, and the lower the temperature, the more viscous (resistant to change) it is, while at higher temperatures it tends to be more elastic. In addition it is pressure sensitive. What this means is that as you are lying on the memory foam mattress or bed surface, it can adjust to the curves of your body, molding (with the assistance of your body heat) to the curvature of your body, while allowing more give in the pressure points of the shoulders, hips, knees, and head.

Memory foam � also first known as TEMPUR - was developed by NASA in 1972 for space shuttle seats to stem the effects of the high g-forces astronauts experience during take-off and landings. It was never fully developed, and was nowhere near the memory foam you see in stores today, and never actually made it into the space shuttle. It has, however, carried on the legacy of being NASA developed.

What really brought memory foam to prominence was when NASA decided to release its development on the technology to the public for commercial use. Most companies passed on the development process due to the numerous R&D hurdles, but one company, Fagerdala World Foams of Sweden persisted and created the first usable memory foam. In 1991, they created the brand Tempur-Pedic and designed the first series of memory foam mattresses. The rest, as they say, is history. After spending millions on television infomercials, Tempur-Pedic sales went through the roof, and ultimately got them into many brick and mortar mattress stores in recent years. In the late 1990s, other manufacturers of memory foam beds, both inferior and superior to the TempurPedic models, have sprung up.

Memory Foam offers a user many benefits. The most obvious is more comfort due to the reduced pressure on the body and spine. In addition, users of memory foam mattresses have been proven to have more REM sleep (deep sleep), toss and turn less, and ultimately get higher quality sleep. In other words, it is possible to feel more rested in less time on a memory foam mattresses than on traditional beds. If you have allergies, memory foam can be especially helpful; it is both hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. Memory foam beds also offer significant benefits for those suffering from poor circulation, Fibromyalgia, and Osteoporosis.

If you are interested in memory foam beds, and are wondering if one is right for you, we recommend the following. Either try a memory foam mattress pad OR order a memory foam bed; the good news is you can receive a free trial on both of these items from our store and many others. Memory Foam is not for everyone, but the majority of the people that try it end up enjoying it and considering it an upgrade.

There are many different types of memory foam, however, so for more information on making a smart decision, check out our Memory Foam Buying Guide.