Stuff You Should Know Selects: Waterbeds: The Sexiest Bed?
May 28, 2022
Dive into the fascinating rise and fall of waterbeds, once marketed as the 'sexiest bed'. Discover how these unique creations were actually designed for a great night's sleep, revolutionizing the 70s bedroom culture. Explore the humorous anecdotes surrounding their portrayal in sitcoms and their evolution from innovative concept to retro status symbol. The podcast also touches on marketing missteps and the challenges that led to waterbeds' decline as consumer preferences shifted. Get ready for nostalgia and laughter!
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Childhood Memories of Waterbeds
- Chuck and Josh reminisce about not owning waterbeds but being intrigued by them.
- Chuck recalls his friend's waterbed setup in front of a Hawaiian beach sunset mural, a quintessential 70s aesthetic.
Waterbed's Origin
- Charles Hall, a San Francisco State design student, invented the modern waterbed in 1968 as his master's thesis.
- This invention aimed to revolutionize sleep quality, not to be a "sex bed."
The Hijacking of the Waterbed
- Charles Hall's waterbed design was intended as a therapeutic sleep aid for pressure point relief.
- Hippies and head shops reframed it as a sex symbol, changing public perception.