{"id":2436,"date":"2023-10-21T21:31:32","date_gmt":"2023-10-21T19:31:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/discover-the-history-of-the-pillow\/"},"modified":"2024-07-18T21:21:44","modified_gmt":"2024-07-18T19:21:44","slug":"discover-the-history-of-the-pillow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/discover-the-history-of-the-pillow\/","title":{"rendered":"Discover the history of the pillow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When you think of a pillow, you probably immediately think of the soft, cozy one you lay your head on every night. However, <strong>the history of the pillow<\/strong> tells us that pillows have come in all sizes, shapes and materials. Dive back in time with us for a moment?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Content:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #003f73;color:#003f73\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #003f73;color:#003f73\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/discover-the-history-of-the-pillow\/#Headrests_among_Mesopotamians_and_Egyptians\" >Headrests among Mesopotamians and Egyptians<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/discover-the-history-of-the-pillow\/#History_of_the_pillow_among_the_Chinese\" >History of the pillow among the Chinese<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/discover-the-history-of-the-pillow\/#The_history_of_Japanese_pillows\" >The history of Japanese pillows<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/discover-the-history-of-the-pillow\/#And_the_Europeans\" >And the Europeans?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/discover-the-history-of-the-pillow\/#History_of_the_Pillow_FAQ\" >History of the Pillow: FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Headrests_among_Mesopotamians_and_Egyptians\"><\/span><strong>Headrests among Mesopotamians and Egyptians<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We discover the first form of head support &#8211; one cannot immediately speak of a &#8220;pillow&#8221; here &#8211; in 7000 B.C. in ancient Mesopotamia, today&#8217;s Iraq. In fact, Mesopotamians used a rectangular stone. The top was carved in the shape of a crescent that served as a support for the neck. This stone support also provided protection from insects that could crawl into the mouth, nose and ears. A purely functional use, then.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In contrast, the ancient Egyptians (from 3300 B.C. onward) believed that the head was an important spiritual center of the body and therefore deserved extra attention. After all, with a head half erected, you would be less vulnerable to evil powers. The moon-shaped &#8220;weres&#8221; about 20 cm high was made of pottery, limestone or alabaster, and later mostly solid wood. The Egyptians placed it between the head and shoulder, sometimes with a soft cloth between them, and thus slept on their sides.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Archaeologists found them in the tombs of pharaohs but also in many ordinary homes. This indicates that they were not only part of the Egyptian death cult, but also an everyday utensil. Admittedly not one with a high comfort level right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History_of_the_pillow_among_the_Chinese\"><\/span><strong>History of the pillow among the Chinese<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In ancient China in 500 B.C., we see other materials such as porcelain, bronze, bamboo and jade. Headrests in a soft material would, according to their faith tradition, take the energy and vitality out of the body. The Chinese did turn them into real showpieces with elegant, lavish decorations. Of course, in those days the headrest was reserved only for wealthy citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_history_of_Japanese_pillows\"><\/span><strong>The history of Japanese pillows<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In medieval Japan, the focus was not on crawling insects or traditional religious practices. Here, pillows are primarily a privilege of noblewomen with their particularly artful hairstyles. At night, these Japanese ladies laid their heads on a takamakura, which literally means &#8220;high pillow. Thanks to this high standard of wood, their haircut could survive the night unscathed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"And_the_Europeans\"><\/span><strong>And the Europeans?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Middle Ages, Europeans considered a pillow rather an expression of weakness. A pregnant woman, that was still forgivable, but others did not need it right away. The empires of ancient Greece and Rome considered a pillow a luxury item. They were only too happy to cover themselves in comfortable fabrics and, unlike the Asians, did use soft materials. They chose a filling of straw, wool, horsehair, reeds and even goose feathers already.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting in the 16th century, after the relentless Middle Ages, a pillow was no longer a status symbol, but an everyday item of use for more and more citizens. Because natural materials are susceptible to insects and mold, the stuffing had to be replaced regularly.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only from the 19th century do we see pillows as we know them today, focusing on sleeping comfort. Nowadays, the sleep industry does not stand still and the range of pillows is becoming more and more varied. We owe this to the continuous development of new materials and technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the way, did you know that about a hundred years ago, people often slept sitting up? In fact, they thought that if you lay flat in bed for a long time, too much blood would flow to your head, resulting in all kinds of diseases. Fortunately, that period is far behind us and we can lay down our tired heads after a busy day and enjoy a comfortable pillow with optimal support!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History_of_the_Pillow_FAQ\"><\/span>History of the Pillow: FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-db1b39c2-8ace-4fb0-a34d-5c8f7e76af2f\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"false\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-04cc3bd0-a2d2-458a-900e-f7335737d3a4\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-db1b39c2-8ace-4fb0-a34d-5c8f7e76af2f\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-db1b39c2-8ace-4fb0-a34d-5c8f7e76af2f\" style=\"color: #000000; \"><strong>What did humans use before pillow?<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down open\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-db1b39c2-8ace-4fb0-a34d-5c8f7e76af2f\">\n\n<p>Before the invention of beds and pillows, humans simply slept on the ground usually in fetal position. It&#8217;s not unlikely that makeshift pillows out of hay or leaves were formed.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-e8475050-4961-4a1b-9fee-8bcdab09555a\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-db1b39c2-8ace-4fb0-a34d-5c8f7e76af2f\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-db1b39c2-8ace-4fb0-a34d-5c8f7e76af2f\" style=\"color: #000000; \"><strong>Did they have pillows in the 1700s?<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down open\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-db1b39c2-8ace-4fb0-a34d-5c8f7e76af2f\">\n\n<p>In the 1700s most people would have slept with their head on a pillow. They would have been made from natural materials that were available, as the pillow and its stuffing had to be replaced regularly.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #f1f1f1; \" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-4d4f1f30-adca-49b7-85d8-978b40f18267\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #f1f1f1;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-db1b39c2-8ace-4fb0-a34d-5c8f7e76af2f\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-db1b39c2-8ace-4fb0-a34d-5c8f7e76af2f\" style=\"color: #000000; \"><strong>How did ancient humans sleep without pillows?<\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #000000;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down open\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-db1b39c2-8ace-4fb0-a34d-5c8f7e76af2f\">\n\n<p>Humans simply slept on the ground in a fetal position. Scientists believe that this is simply to preserve body heat, however, protection from predators also plays a role. If they were in a more permanent location, a sort of nest may be constructed from soft materials that were available like leaves or furs.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you think of a pillow, you probably immediately think of the soft, cozy one you lay your head on every night. However, the history of the pillow tells us that pillows have come in all sizes, shapes and materials. Dive back in time with us for a moment? Headrests among Mesopotamians and Egyptians We&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":1961,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2436","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-improve-my-pillow"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mindthebed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/907412238a84cd5f8aea4a6fe935b235.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Ilona Migdalski","author_link":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/author\/ilonam\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2436","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2436"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2436\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4505,"href":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2436\/revisions\/4505"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2436"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2436"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mindthebed.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2436"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}