Memory foam is a material developed by NASA in the 1960s to minimise the pressure exerted on astronauts by the force of gravity when they take off into space. It was not until the 1990s that this material was introduced for domestic use, first in hospitals and later in household sleep products, that is, in memory foam mattresses.

Memory foam mattresses can actually be made of different types of materials. The core that supports the mattress is usually made of foam or springs. The key feature of memory foam mattresses is their “footprint effect” or “mattress memory”. This allows the mattress to adapt to any person using it, thus reducing muscular tensions and facilitating blood circulation, favouring relaxation and providing a more comfortable rest, among other benefits. Generally, these mattresses usually have medium or medium-low firmness, although this may vary depending on the mattress cores, among other factors.