E84 BEDS

Bruce has a sheet. Simon tucks in.

Beds... We spend a third of our life in them, but where did they originate? And why do men generally sleep on the door side of the bed? Lots of answers in this week's episode.

10,200 B.C.E: The very first bed is invented. These beds likely were made with materials like leaves, grass, and whatever was plentiful in nature covered in animal hides. Imagine how tired our ancestors must have been after constructing their own mattresses!

3,400 B.C.E: Egyptians sleep on piles of palm branches.

200 B.C.E: Romans take it up a notch by stuffing materials like straw and wool inside of cloth to sleep on.

Early 18th century: Mattresses are now stuffed with wool or cotton.

1857: The coil spring, integral to the innerspring mattress, is invented.

1871: The first innerspring mattress is created.

End of 19th century: The first box springs are invented.

1929: Latex rubber mattresses are produced.

1930s: Pocket spring mattresses are first introduced.

1960s: Waterbeds are introduced to consumers.

Pocket Bedsprings Invented by James Marshall (and they're still going strong!):

Sealy Posturepedic

Shakespeare's Second Best Bed

77,000-Year-old Mattress

Roman Beds

The Great Bed of Ware

Four Poster Beds

Box Bed (also known as a Truckle Bed)

Coffin Beds, Penny Sleeps and Hangovers

Royal Beds

Metal Bedsteads

Waterbeds

Unusual Beds

Hidden beds

Bed Records

Biggest

Fastest

Most people in bed 2013 54