Pillow’s
inventor deserves a spot in the Convenience Hall of Fame
N. J. Lindquist
I recently
endured a long night at a hotel where I tossed and turned, trying
to get comfortable. You see, I had forgotten to bring my own pillow,
and the one the hotel supplied just didn't feel right. So at three
in the morning, I lay there thinking about pillows.
When
I was younger and used to watch a lot of westerns, I always felt sorry
for those poor cowboys who had to set their heads down on rocks or
saddles during their long cattle drives. No wonder they were always
ready for a fight! Who wouldn't be after a night with a rock for a
pillow?
I
don't know much about who invented pillows. I do know that carved wooden
beds were first made in Egypt, but instead of pillows they used wooden
curved headrests.
Maybe
it's what you get used to. But if I knew the name of the person who
invented the soft fluffy pillow, I would certainly see to it that
he or she got some mention in the Convenience Hall of Fame.
Of course,
all pillows are not created equal.
Some
of them are purely decorative, round or square or even triangular,
too small for your head, sometimes adorned with buttons and other
decorations.
Some
pillows are too soft, giving virtually no support.
Some,
like the one in my hotel, have no give and keep your head too high.
But,
as Goldilocks might have said, there is a pillow that is just right
for everyone.
Some
pillows, like the one I use, have a molded ridge which supports your
neck and then a dip which keeps the head at a perfect angle.
According
to a couple of "experts" I have talked to, the perfect pillow
should support your neck while keeping your head at the same angle
it is when standing (i.e. straight).
Some
people take their pillows with them wherever they go. Not too difficult
if you're driving, but a pillow can take up a lot of space when you're
going by air.
And
then of course there are those special times which call for creative
use of more than one pillow.
When
I was pregnant, I would lie on my side with at least four pillows: one
under my head, one under my stomach, one behind my back, and one between
my knees. This made a huge difference in my ability to sleep at night,
and that made a big difference in my ability to be patient during the
day.
If you're
stuck in bed, two or three pillows behind the back and another one
or two under the knees can increase your comfort level. You can even
buy a special foam triangular pillow to put under your knees if you
lie on your back.
For
some strange reason, few hospitals understand the benefits of pillows.
You get one, maybe two if you really push, but more than that you have
to bring from home. Naturally, I did!
Now,
I'm sure you agree with me that pillows are great, but you're still
probably wondering why I'm wasting a whole column on them. My reasoning
is that it's very easy for us to focus on things that annoy us while
we take for granted "ordinary" things that other people
over the years (and even some today) would consider miraculous. Things
like pillows.
Or
firm, comfortable beds and all those wonderful soft sheets and blankets
and duvets. Imagine sleeping on a straw pallet with only an itchy homespun
blanket!
Chairs.
Especially comfortable recliner chairs and desk
chairs that can be adjusted for height and angle.
Eating
utensils of all types and sizes. Even special spoons or grapefruit.
Toothbrushes
and good-tasting toothpaste.
Furnaces
that don't need to have wood or coal shoveled in each morning and
evening.
Self-cleaning
refrigerators.
Microwaves.
Wash
and wear clothes....
So
rather than feel sorry for myself for my sleepless night in a hotel,
I started to realize just how fortunate I am.
But
while it was nice to gain that insight, next time I travel I am definitely
remembering to take along my own pillow!
This
article copyright N. J. Lindquist, 1998
Not to be reused without permission.
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