Mattress

High school (ages 12+)
Everyday Life

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/mattress

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the key material development?Viscoelastic foam (memory foam), originally developed by NASA, revolutionized mattress comfort
2. What is the cultural sleeping systems?Examples include the Japanese futon and mattresses utilizing kapok or coir fibers
3. What is a mattress and why do people use it?A mattress is a raised sleeping surface that keeps you comfortable and keeps you away from insects and damp ground. It helps you sleep better by supporting your body.
4. How did mattresses change from ancient times to now?Ancient people used straw or reeds on raised platforms. In the Middle Ages they used sacks filled with straw or feathers. In the late 1800s, metal coils called innersprings were invented, and today we have foam, memory foam, and hybrid mattresses.

Ergonomic Design: Designing products to maximize comfort and efficiency by considering human physical capabilities.
Viscoelastic Foam: A type of foam that responds to body heat and pressure, molding to the user's shape.
Motion Isolation: A mattress feature that prevents movement on one side from disturbing someone on the other side.