1970s Memory Foam Mattress History from NASA
Memory foam was developed from NASA research in the 1960s to improve aircraft seat safety and cushioning. By the early 1970s this open-cell polyurethane foam had been refined into the slow-recovery material we now call memory foam, although it took another two decades before it reached British homes in any volume.
The NASA Connection
In 1966 NASA engineer Charles Yost began work on a foam that could absorb extreme g-forces and provide even pressure distribution for test pilots and astronauts. The material, initially called temper foam or slow-spring-back foam, was designed to mould to the body then return slowly to shape. Early versions were used in the seats of the Apollo command modules. The research was never classified and was made available to US industry.
From Aircraft Seats to Medical Use
By the mid-1970s the first commercial applications appeared in American hospitals and for wheelchair users. The foam’s ability to reduce pressure points made it valuable for preventing bed sores. Swedish company Fagerdala began producing memory foam products in Europe in the late 1970s, but the material remained expensive and little known in the UK until the 1990s.
Common myths
Stories that memory foam was created so astronauts could sleep in zero gravity are folklore. NASA’s brief was crash protection and seating comfort under high acceleration, not bedding. Similarly, claims that the foam was a direct by-product of the moon landings are inaccurate; the work was part of the broader aerospace safety programme.
Arrival in British Homes
Memory foam mattresses first appeared in UK specialist shops in the early 1990s, often imported from Scandinavia. Prices were high because the foam was still manufactured in small batches. Wider adoption came after 2000 when several British and European factories scaled up production. Today the category is one of the most popular on the British market, helped by improved formulations that sleep cooler than the original NASA-derived foams.
How Memory Foam Works
The open-cell structure reacts to body heat and weight, softening on contact then slowly recovering. This gives the characteristic “sinking” sensation that contours to shoulders, hips and spine. Early versions could sleep warm; modern UK memory foam usually includes gel, open-cell or plant-based additives to improve breathability. UK mattresses must still meet the fire-safety rules that apply to all upholstered furniture and bedding.
Modern Memory Foam Choices
Contemporary memory foam has moved on considerably from the dense, slow-recovery blocks of the 1970s. UK shoppers can now choose from hybrids that combine pocket springs with memory foam layers, plant-based foams, and versions aimed at children. For a straightforward memory foam feel the Maxitex Quartz Memory Foam Mattress offers even support without the extremes of the earliest NASA-derived material. Families looking at children’s options may consider the Maxitex Kids Magic Memory Foam Mattress, which uses a gentler formulation suitable for growing bodies and meets the same British safety standards as adult mattresses.
Those wanting an eco-conscious route can look at the SOLACE+CO Plant Based Eco Memory Foam Mattress. It replaces a large proportion of petroleum-based polyols with plant oils while retaining the pressure-relieving properties that trace back to the original NASA research. For extra protection a mattress protector is sensible; the waterproof variety keeps the foam dry and extends its life.
If the classic memory-foam sink is too enveloping, many shoppers now add a thinner memory foam topper to an existing sprung mattress rather than replacing the whole bed. This approach lets you test the feel before committing to a full memory-foam mattress. Traditional alternatives such as latex mattresses offer bounce instead of slow contouring and may suit those who liked the NASA story but prefer a more responsive surface.
Whatever choice you make, check the exact specifications on the product page. UK sizes remain standard: a double is still 135x190 cm, a king 150x200 cm. Memory foam works in any bed type, from standard beds to storage beds or bunk beds (provided the top bunk meets BS EN 747 and the mattress depth does not exceed the manufacturer’s guard-rail limit).
The journey from a 1960s NASA laboratory to a practical mattress in British homes shows how specialised aerospace materials can become everyday comforts. The core pressure-relieving benefit remains, but today’s formulations address the heat-retention issues of the earliest versions and offer better value for today’s UK shopper.
Our picks for this guide
- Maxitex Quartz Memory Foam Mattress – Delivers the pressure-relieving contouring that traces back to the original NASA temper foam while using modern open-cell construction suitable for everyday UK use.
- SOLACE+CO Plant Based Eco Memory Foam Mattress – Updates the memory-foam concept with plant-based materials, retaining the slow-recovery feel developed in the 1960s but with improved breathability.
- Maxitex Kids Magic Memory Foam Mattress – Provides a gentler memory-foam surface for children, meeting UK safety standards.
- Maxitex Dream 1000 Pocket Memory Mattress – Combines pocket springs with a memory-foam layer, giving the NASA-derived contouring comfort without the full sink of an all-foam mattress.
Frequently asked questions
Was memory foam invented by NASA for space travel?
No. NASA funded research in 1966 to create better aircraft seating that absorbed g-forces and distributed pressure. The resulting temper foam was later adapted into consumer memory foam. It was never designed for sleeping in space.
When did memory foam mattresses first appear in the UK?
Specialist retailers began selling them in the early 1990s, mainly Scandinavian imports. They became more widely available and affordable after 2000 when UK and European production increased.
Do modern memory foam mattresses still use the original NASA formula?
No. The basic open-cell polyurethane chemistry is related, but today’s versions include gel, plant oils, different cell structures and fire-retardant treatments required by UK law (BS 7177). They sleep cooler and recover faster than 1970s versions.
Is memory foam suitable for children?
Yes, when the product is made for children and meets British fire-safety standards. A dedicated kids memory foam mattress such as the Maxitex Kids Magic uses a milder formulation.
What is the difference between memory foam and latex?
Memory foam contours slowly and gives a sinking sensation. Latex is more responsive, bounces back immediately and usually sleeps cooler. Both relieve pressure but suit different preferences; many UK buyers test both in store.
Related guides
- Should You Turn a Memory Foam Mattress?
- Memory Foam vs Pocket Sprung Mattress: Which Is Best?
- Memory Foam Mattress Pros and Cons: Benefits and Drawbacks
- Memory Foam Explained: Types, Densities and Off-Gassing UK
- Mattress Type Quiz: Memory Foam, Pocket Sprung or Hybrid?
- Latex vs Memory Foam Mattress: Pros, Cons and Which to Buy