Who invented the Pillow?

Summary

Episode Summary: "Who Invented the Pillow?"

Podcast: Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
Release Date: January 24, 2025
Hosts: Host 1, Host 2, and Smarty Pants

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of Who Smarted?, the hosts embark on a delightful journey through the history and evolution of pillows. Combining humor with educational insights, they explore how this everyday object has transformed from ancient stone slabs to the comfortable cushions we cherish today.

The Dawn of Pillows: Ancient Mesopotamia

The episode kicks off by unraveling the surprising origins of pillows. Contrary to popular belief, pillows weren’t always the soft accessories we know today. The first pillows, dating back to 7000 BCE in Mesopotamia, were made of stone and carved into cradle shapes. Host 1 humorously quips, “[00:27] Smarty Pants: Good night. Ow. Why is there a rock in my bed?,” highlighting the stark contrast between ancient and modern pillows.

These stone pillows served a practical purpose: preventing insects from crawling into the sleeper’s mouth, nose, or ears. Host 1 elaborates, “[05:26] Believe it or not, the answer is B. Early Mesopotamians used pillows to raise their heads off the ground so bugs didn't crawl into their mouth, nose, or ears while they were sleeping.”

Pillows in Ancient Egypt

Moving forward in time, the hosts explore Ancient Egypt, where pillows continued to be hard but were crafted from luxurious materials like marble and ivory. Host 1 explains, “[05:25] Pretty gross, right? And if that's happening to you today, it's probably time to wash your sheets. Just saying.” These pillows were not only functional but also held spiritual significance, believed to protect the head—the most spiritual part of the body—from evil spirits.

Chinese Innovations: Jade Pillows

The narrative then shifts to 14th century China, introducing jade pillows. Host 1 humorously interacts with an ancient Chinese salesperson: “[08:15] Smarty Pants: Oof.” These jade pillows were thought to channel energy into the brain, purportedly curing headaches and depression, and even influencing marital prospects. However, the high cost made them accessible only to the wealthy, as Host 1 points out, “[09:01] That's a lot of pressure to put on a pillow purchase.”

Interestingly, some regions in China still occasionally use rock pillows for their cooling properties, especially during summer months, adding a practical twist to their historical use.

Greco-Roman Era: Soft Fillings and Decline

The hosts delve into the Ancient Greek and Roman contributions to pillow development. Pillows began to be stuffed with natural materials like cotton, straw, and down feathers, making them softer and more comfortable. Host 1 jokes, “[03:12] Host 2: Giant pillow, straight ahead.,” emphasizing the shift towards comfort.

However, these natural fillings had drawbacks—they were prone to mold and attracted vermin. As Host 1 puts it, “[14:44] Yeah, you try getting a good night's sleep with a sewer rat trying to cuddle up to you.” The collapse of the Roman Empire led to the disappearance of soft pillows for several centuries, primarily due to their unaffordability.

Revival During the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution marked a pivotal turn in pillow history. Mass production techniques and advancements in manufacturing made pillows affordable and widely available. Host 1 states, “[15:13] You can thank the Industrial revolution.” Pillows were now stuffed with a variety of materials—hay, chicken feathers, goose down—and became common household items, even serving decorative purposes in affluent homes.

Modern Innovations: Polyester and Memory Foam

The episode highlights the significant advancements in pillow technology during the 1960s with the introduction of polyester. Host 1 remarks, “[16:07] Trusty: BO so what changed all that?” Polyester fillings helped pillows maintain their shape and resist mold and mildew, addressing previous issues associated with natural materials.

Further innovation came from NASA, which developed memory foam to improve the comfort and safety of astronaut seats. Host 1 humorously connects this to everyday use: “[17:11] That's right, NASA. NASA wanted to make the seats used by astronauts and airplane passengers safer and more comfortable...” Memory foam pillows absorb pressure and return to their original shape, enhancing sleep quality.

Eco-Friendly and Specialized Pillows Today

Today’s pillows are marvels of engineering, featuring materials like memory foam with cooling gels and environmentally friendly fillings such as buckwheat and dried lavender pods. Host 1 notes, “[17:24] And since the memory foam in your pillow only has to absorb the pressure of your head and not the intense gravitational pressures that astronauts face on liftoff, it works pretty great.” These advancements cater to diverse needs, from temperature regulation to sustainability, ensuring that modern pillows are both comfortable and eco-conscious.

Conclusion: The Ever-Evolving Pillow

Wrapping up, the hosts celebrate the pillow’s journey from ancient stone to high-tech comfort, emphasizing its essential role in daily life. Host 1 concludes with a playful nod to pillow fights, blending humor with educational content: “[18:27] A big shout out to Jonah A. Smartypants in Vancouver, Washington.”

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Host 1 [00:27]: “Smarty Pants: Good night. Ow. Why is there a rock in my bed?”
• Host 1 [05:26]: “Believe it or not, the answer is B. Early Mesopotamians used pillows to raise their heads off the ground so bugs didn't crawl into their mouth, nose, or ears while they were sleeping.”
• Host 1 [14:44]: “Yeah, you try getting a good night's sleep with a sewer rat trying to cuddle up to you.”
• Host 1 [17:11]: “That's right, NASA. NASA wanted to make the seats used by astronauts and airplane passengers safer and more comfortable...”
• Host 1 [18:27]: “A big shout out to Jonah A. Smartypants in Vancouver, Washington.”

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Key Takeaways

• Historical Evolution: Pillows have transformed from utilitarian stone blocks in Mesopotamia to luxurious ivory pieces in Egypt, and into the soft, diverse cushions we use today.
• Cultural Significance: Different civilizations attributed various purposes to pillows, from spiritual protection in Egypt to energy channeling in China.
• Technological Advancements: The Industrial Revolution and innovations like polyester and memory foam revolutionized pillow manufacturing, making them more comfortable and accessible.
• Modern Diversity: Today’s pillows cater to a wide range of preferences and needs, including eco-friendly options and specialized materials for enhanced comfort.

This episode of Who Smarted? adeptly combines humor and informative content to provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the humble pillow's fascinating history and evolution.

Transcript

[Host 1]

Huh? Wha. It's morning already? It feels like I just went to sleep five minutes ago.

[Trusty]

Psst.

[Host 1]

Hey, smarty pants. Have you ever wished you could just stay in bed all day? I mean, it's so comfortable, right? Cool sheets, cozy blankets, a perfectly firm mattress, and best of all, your soft, squishy pillow. Could you even imagine life without your pillow? Or pillows?

[Smarty Pants]

Good night. Ow. Why is there a rock in my bed?

[Host 1]

Sure, pillows have been known to cause some pretty nasty cases of bedhead, but with nothing to support your noggin, you'd probably toss and turn all night.

[Smarty Pants]

Can't sleep.

[Host 1]

Guess what? The pillow, as you know it is actually a fairly modern invention. They didn't even get the idea to fill pillows with soft stuff for hundreds of years. And that's not the only crazy thing when it comes to your head's best bud. What were the first pillows made of? How have they changed over the centuries? Why did they disappear for hundreds of years? And what advancements in pillow technology are modern sleepers enjoying today? Get ready for another whiff of science and history. On who smarted?

[Host 2]

Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. On who's smarted?

[Trusty]

Hi, guys. It's trusty. Today's episode is brought to you by Squarespace. And I need to tell you about their new design intelligence feature because it's a game changer for anyone who's been putting off creating a website. Look, I know how intimidating tech can feel, but Squarespace's AI powered design system literally transforms your basic ideas into a beautiful professional website. We've used Squarespace to build websites here at Atomic, and what I love is that it combines AI tech with their decades of design expertise. You answer a few simple questions, and it creates a fully customized site that actually looks good. No more staring at a blank screen wondering where to start, and no need to spend thousands of dollars getting a site designed for a passion project or experimental idea. Plus, their payment system makes it super easy to get paid for your services. Whether you're selling courses, booking consulting sessions, or offering downloads, they've got all the popular payment options like Apple Pay and Klarna built right in. Head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial and use code smarted to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

[Host 1]

What?

[Trusty]

Oh, I'm awake.

[Host 1]

I'm awake. Smarty pants. How many different types of pillows can you think of? Obviously, there's bed Pillows you sleep on. But bed pillows are just the tip of the pillow iceberg. Come to think of it, pillows look like mini icebergs.

[Host 2]

Giant pillow, straight ahead.

[Host 1]

Sorry, my pillow's just so soft and inviting. Where were we? Right. How many other types of pillows can you name, smarty pants? Well, there's orthopedic pillows to correct your posture. U shaped neck pillows people wear on airplanes so their necks don't get stiff and so they don't wake up drooling on the stranger next to them. Ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned on the no drooling sign. There's lumbar pillows to help your back. There's long neck roll pillows that look like sausages. And finally, there's decorative pillows people put on furniture to spice up a room. They're also called throw pillows because, well, you usually toss them aside. Whoops. Sorry, Luna. Didn't see you there. Wow, all this talk about pillows is making me sleepy. You too? Well, wake up, because it's question time. Ready? What were the first pillows made of? Was it A, feathers, or B, stone? Ha. That's an easy one, right? Can you imagine trying to sleep on stone? That would really put the rock in Rock. A. Bye, baby. So, of course the answer is B. That's right. In Mesopotamia, way back in 7000 BCE the very first pillows were made of stone and carved into a cradle shape. That's because unlike today, pillows back then were weren't supposed to be comfortable.

[Smarty Pants]

Huh.

[Host 1]

Back then, pillows served a very different purpose. Smarty pants, pretend you're an early Mesopotamian and see if you can guess why you used a stone pillow. Was it A, to prevent you from rolling out of bed?

[Smarty Pants]

Ow.

[Host 1]

B to keep insects from crawling into your mouth, or C to flatten the back of your head because flat heads were considered more attractive?

[Smarty Pants]

Ooh.

[Host 1]

Believe it or not, the answer is B. Early Mesopotamians used pillows to raise their heads off the ground so bugs didn't crawl into their mouth, nose, or ears while they were sleeping.

[Smarty Pants]

Ew.

[Host 1]

Pretty gross, right? And if that's happening to you today, it's probably time to wash your sheets. Just saying. The ancient Egyptians slept on super hard pillows too, but theirs were usually made of fancy hard stuff like marble and ivory. They thought the head was the most spiritual part of the body and should be cherished by resting it on only the most luxurious surfaces. At least when a person was alive, that is. Come with me, smarty pants. I want to show you something. First, we need to teleport to Egypt. Next, we have to enter A. A pyramid. It's pretty dark. I wonder if there's a light switch in here. Oh, wait. I'll just use my torch app. That's better. Now we'll just head over to this sarcophagus and open it to see a mummy. Sorry, that was my stomach. I forgot to eat breakfast. Anyway, under the mummy's head is a stone pillow carved with images of the Egyptian gods. Why do you think they put a pillow there, smarty pants? Is it to keep bad spirits away? To let grave robbers know this mummy was not to be messed with? Or to encourage the gods to visit the mummified person in their dreams? If you said to keep bad spirits away, you're right. Pretty cool, huh? I wish they could invent a pillow that could do that with nightmares. That would totally sell on Shark Tank. But it was the ancient Chinese who had some really interesting ideas about pillows. Come on, smarty pants. Let's go pillow shopping. Ah, here we are. A pillow store in ancient Beijing, China. And here comes a salesperson now to help us.

[Salesperson]

Hello. Welcome to Pillow Farm. What can I help you with?

[Host 1]

Wow, your English is surprisingly good for 14th century China.

[Salesperson]

What can I say? We are a very advanced civilization. Can I interest you in a pillow?

[Host 1]

Absolutely. By any chance, do you have any nice soft ones in stock?

[Salesperson]

A soft pillow? You must be joking. Soft pillows will SAP all the energy out of your body. Trust me, I know what you need. Here, try this.

[Smarty Pants]

Oof.

[Host 1]

This is a heavy pillow. What's it made of?

[Trusty]

Rocks?

[Salesperson]

Sir, that is not rock. It's jade. You're going to love it.

[Host 1]

I highly doubt that.

[Salesperson]

Trust me. For one thing, when you lay your head down on this pillow, all the energy from the jade is gonna travel directly into your brain. It's not only going to cure your headaches and depression, it's going to make you smarter. And if you buy a nice, expensive enough pillow, it may even help you attract a husband or wife. Trust me. Many ancient Chinese families decide who their children should marry based on the value of their potential partner's pillow.

[Host 1]

That's a lot of pressure to put on a pillow purchase. Exactly how expensive are these things?

[Salesperson]

If you have to ask, you probably can't afford it. I'm assuming you're not royalty.

[Host 1]

Um, no.

[Salesperson]

I suggest you try dollar pillow around the corner. Good day?

[Host 1]

Yeah, I don't know how trusty that salesperson was. Trust me, if you want to get smarter, you're better off listening to Whosmarted. But people did believe things like that back then. And you might be surprised to learn some people in China still occasionally sleep on rock pillows in the summer.

[Smarty Pants]

Whoa.

[Host 1]

But why did you say, because rocks stay nice and cool? That's right. After their rocky start, pillows did eventually evolve into the comfy head marshmallows that you love to snuggle today. But who's responsible for that happy turn of events? The answer after this quick break.

[Trusty]

Hi guys, it's trusty. Today's episode is brought to you by Squarespace, and I need to tell you about their new Design Intelligence feature because it's a game changer for anyone who's been putting off creating a website. Look, I know how intimidating tech can feel, but Squarespace's AI powered design system literally transforms your basic ideas into a beautiful professional website. We've used Squarespace to build websites here at Atomic, and what I love is that it combines AI tech with their decades of design expertise. You answer a few simple questions and it creates a fully customized site that actually looks good. No more staring at a blank screen wondering where to start, and no need to spend thousands of dollars getting a site designed for a passion project or experimental idea. Plus, their payment system makes it super easy to get paid for your services. Whether you're selling courses, booking consulting sessions or offering downloads, they've got all the popular payment options like Apple Pay and Klarna built right in. Head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial and use code smarted to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Today's episode is brought to you by IXL Learning. You know how every child learns differently? That's exactly what makes IXL special for every family. IXL is an incredibly flexible online learning program that enriches your child's classroom or homeschool curriculum with math, language arts, science and social studies. What I love most is how it adapts to each child's level. If your child races ahead in math but needs extra practice in reading comprehension, IXL adjusts perfectly to both situations. And here's what's really cool. Kids can explore any topic at any grade level so they're never stuck in a one size fits all program. Plus, they get instant feedback as they learn, which makes it fun. That's why parents of kids in traditional schools and homeschools have fallen in love with ixl. With IXL you will make a real research backed difference in your child's learning journey. Our listeners can get an exclusive 20% off their IXL membership when you sign up today at ixl.com smarted. Visit ixl.com smarted to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

[Host 1]

Parents, let's be real.

[Trusty]

The post holiday sugar crash is no joke. Christmas cookies had my family's kids bouncing.

[Host 1]

Off the walls one moment, crashing the next.

[Trusty]

We needed a reset. But finding healthy snacks kids love that is a struggle. So I shared one of my favorite new who Smarted Sponsors Thrive Market. Thrive's Healthy Swap scanner is a lifesaver. Just scan the package of your kids favorite snacks like sugary cookies or salty chips, and the scanner suggests cleaner, healthier options instantly. Now, instead of sugar bombs, my extended family is loving simple mills, crackers, chomps, beef sticks, and lesser evil popcorn. The kids are thrilled and the adults love that they're off the sugar roller coaster. Whether it's low sugar, organic snacks for lunchboxes or after school bites, Thrive has us covered. Plus everything gets delivered right to your door. That is why I am so happy that Thrive sponsors who's Smarted helping us keep making the show that you love. Ready to reset with healthy snacks? Go to thrivemarket.com smarted for 30% off and a free $60 gift. That's thrivemarket.com smarted.

[Host 1]

Now back to who Smarted Smarty Pants how did pillows go from literally hard as rock status symbols to dreamy soft cranium cushions? For that, you can thank two ancient civilizations. One is the ancient Greeks, and the other is known for having gladiators. If you said the ancient Romans, nice job. The Romans and Greeks each came up with the idea of stuffing pillows with things like cotton or straw. Or if a person was really rich, their pillow might be stuffed with down feathers. The only problem? Because these pillows were filled with natural materials, they had an annoying tendency to get moldy ew. Or even worse, attract vermin like roaches and rats.

[Smarty Pants]

Double ew.

[Host 1]

Yeah, you try getting a good night's sleep with a sewer rat trying to cuddle up to you. Surprisingly, with the fall of the Roman Empire, soft pillows disappeared again, this time for hundreds of years. Why? Because no one could afford them. It wasn't until the 1500s that they finally made a comeback.

[Smarty Pants]

Yay.

[Host 1]

Unfortunately, they were still pretty gross.

[Trusty]

BO so what changed all that?

[Host 1]

Care to manufacture a guess? Smarty pants. You can thank the Industrial revolution. Between the 17 and 1800s, society made all kinds of advancements very quickly, thanks to the invention of factories, machines, and new ways to manufacture things. Suddenly, pillows could be made much more cheaply. So almost anyone could afford one, and they'd stuff them with whatever they had around. If you lived on A farm, you might use hay or chicken feathers. Or if you were a hunter, you could use goose down. Like the wealthy Romans, pillows became so common, they began showing up on couches and chairs in expensive homes as decoration. Finally, pillows were having their moment. But behind the scenes, the pillows were hiding a terrible secret. Oh, no, wait. Sorry. That's a page from a young adult novel I'm working on.

[Trusty]

How'd that get in there?

[Host 1]

Here we go. From there, pillows continued as a fixture in homes worldwide until the 1960s, when there was yet another technological advance in pillow making. Smarty pants. Was it the invention of A, polyester, B, lasers, or C, solar powered pillows? The answer is polyester. This new synthetic material turned the pillow world upside down in two ways. Number one, it helped a pillow keep its shape. And number two, it lasted a lot longer than natural fillings because it didn't get moldy or mildew. I know I'd sleep a lot better knowing my head wasn't resting on a stinky, mushy, moldy lump.

[Smarty Pants]

Yuck.

[Host 1]

Today's pillows are bonafide marvels of engineering, thanks to all the bells and whistles added since the 1960s. Things like memory foam, which was invented by the folks who brought you.

[Host 2]

Three, two, one. We have liftoff.

[Host 1]

That's right, NASA. NASA wanted to make the seats used by astronauts and airplane passengers safer and more comfortable, so they invented a special kind of plastic foam that can absorb tremendous pressure.

[Smarty Pants]

No.

[Host 1]

And then return back to its original shape. And since the memory foam in your pillow only has to absorb the pressure of your head and not the intense gravitational pressures that astronauts face on liftoff, it works pretty great. And so do the special cooling gels they can now put into the memory foam. But wait, there's more. You can now buy environmentally friendly pillows filled with buckwheat and dried lavender pods. Perfect for the socially conscious sleeper. As long as you don't mind the noise every time you roll over. And there you go, Smarty pants. Everything you wanted to know about pillows. Plus some stuff you probably didn't mold. Mildew.

[Smarty Pants]

Rats. Run.

[Host 1]

There's really only one thing left to do now. Pillow fight. Um, I was thinking nap, but pillow fights are fun. Ouch. You can't bring an ancient Chinese jade pillow to a pillow fight.

[Salesperson]

Sorry.

[Host 1]

A big shout out to Jonah A. Smartypants in Vancouver, Washington. We're so glad you love listening to who smarted this episode. Pillows was written by Steve Melcher, voiced by Gia Davis, Adam Text Davis, David Quique, and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hahn, who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios. Our associate producer is Max Kamowski. The theme song is by Brian so Many Pillows Suarez, with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who's Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.

[Host 2]

Who's Smarted.