Invention
Memory foam was invented in 1966 by Charles Yost, an aeronautical engineer with Systems Dynamics Group at North American Aviation Inc.¹. He was contracted by NASA through Stencel Aero Engineering Corp¹. NASA was looking to improve the quality of their airline seats and increase the likelihood of surviving a crash¹. He, along with Chiharu Kubokawa (a scientist from NASA's Ames Research Center who conducted many tests on the material)⁴, ended up creating an open-cell material that had an unusually high energy absorption, but still remained soft and pliable¹. The material was originally called "slow spring back foam" since it would shape to whatever was pressing against it and then slowly "spring back" to its original shape once the pressure was removed¹. The foam had the ability to evenly distribute weight and pressure, guaranteeing more comfort¹. NASA’s Ames Research Center ended up adding this foam to their new seat designs¹.
Development
In 1967, Yost left Stencel Aero Engineering Corp. and incorporated Dynamic Systems, Inc.². He continued work on the material's design. With the end of the NASA project in 1969², he began to look for other uses for "temper foam" (as it was now known), particularly in medical, military, and automotive technology³. In 1974, Yost sold the formula to Beckton-Dickinson, who wanted to use it as a lining in football helmets². A few years later, the formula was modified to create a material known as "Dynofoam"². It was then modified again to create the materials that Dynamic Systems, Inc. sells today². NASA released the formula for temper foam in the early 1980s and many companies tried to successfully commercialize the product⁴. However, the material proved resistant to their efforts. Fagerdala World Foams, a Swedish company, spent a decade perfecting the material before they introduced the Tempur-Pedic Swedish Mattress in 1991⁴.
NASA acknowledged Yost's contribution in 1973, when he received a Technology Utilization Award². In 1977 and 1999, he was awarded Certificates of Recognition from NASA². Yost and Dynamic Systems, Inc. were inducted into the U.S. Space Technology Hall of Fame for their successful commercialization of memory foam in 1998³.
NASA acknowledged Yost's contribution in 1973, when he received a Technology Utilization Award². In 1977 and 1999, he was awarded Certificates of Recognition from NASA². Yost and Dynamic Systems, Inc. were inducted into the U.S. Space Technology Hall of Fame for their successful commercialization of memory foam in 1998³.
Use Today
Today, memory foam has many applications in various different fields. In the medical field, memory foam is used in orthopedic seating pads, mattress pads, custom-molded seats for the disabled, and foam inserts for wheelchairs¹. Interestingly, memory foam is also used in prosthetic limbs. The foam prevents friction between the prosthesis and skin and allows the prosthetic to breath, reducing heat buildup¹. In the automotive industry, shock-absorbing foam is added to race cars to help drivers have a better chance of survival in crashes¹. Since 1998, motorcycle seats with memory foam have become increasingly popular since they provide a comfortable ride¹. The military has adapted memory foam for use in bulletproof vests in order to reduce the pressure from the bullet's impact¹. They also use it as a shock-absorbent in military vehicles and ejection seats in military aircraft¹. Memory foam is available in many consumer products, often to make the product more comfortable. Some ski helmets utilize memory foam for a more comfortable, custom-feeling fit⁵. Many mattress companies have adopted memory foam for use in their mattresses. Generally, memory foam mattresses rate the highest in customer satisfaction, despite some criticism based on heat retention, firmness, and a "squishy" feel in higher temperatures⁷. Many of these companies have expanded to included memory foam pillows as well⁸. Shoe companies, like Sketchers, have seen the benefits of memory foam and make memory foam insoles for some of their shoes¹⁰.
Footnotes
- http://m.space.com/10783-space-spinoff-technology-memory-foam.html
- http://www.sunmatecushions.com/blogs/specialty-cushion-articles/8046575-about-the-founder
- http://www.pfa.org/jumpfame.html
- http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/tempur-pedic-inc-history/
- http://www.atomic.com/en-US/Products/alpine/ski-helmets/piste-all-mountain/NOMAD_LF/AN5005124.aspx
- http://www.walmart.com/ip/Diamond-Plate-Gel-memory-Foam-Motorcycle-Seat-Cushion/24907296
- http://www.sleeplikethedead.com/mattressreview-memory-foam.html
- http://www.tempurpedic.com/Pillows/Pillows.asp
- http://www.tempurpedic.com/mattress/difference.asp
- http://www.skechers.com/style/33604/bobs-pureflex-prima-ballet/turq