Tempur Foam

Induction year: 1998

Inducted individuals:

Chuck Kubokawa

Charles Laenger

Sam McFarland

Robert Willbur

Charles Yost

Inducted organizations:

Becton, Dickenson, and Company

Dynamic Systems, Inc.

NASA Ames Research Center

Southwest Research Institute

The TEMPUR story begins in the late 1960s when NASA scientists and engineers were asked to develop a material to absorb the G-force pressure astronauts endure during lift-off and landing. They invented a unique formulation of viscoelastic material, with both high-energy absorption and soft, pressure-relieving properties. In the early 1970s, our Swedish founders – Mikael Magnussen and stepbrother Dag Landvik – thought this NASA memory foam would be perfect for Healthcare and Medical purposes and began importing it to help improve patient comfort and support. In 1988, we enlisted the help of top Danish scientists to help us refine and mass produce that original material. After years of extensive testing, in 1990, Tempur Foam, now known as TEMPUR® Material, was born. Later that year, in a flash of inspiration, one of our scientists felt it would be perfect for sleeping on. After further enhancing both its adaptability and durability, in 1991 we created and launched the world’s first “slow spring back foam” mattress and pillow. It changed the game. People started sleeping better. All thanks to the ground-breaking work of that team of NASA scientists.

This Space Technology Hall of Fame inducted technology is also a Certified Space Technology. To learn more about the Space Certification Program visit www.SpaceCertification.org. To hear the backstory on the space technology that the company adapted to improve sleep and some of the science behind how Tempur-Pedic foam works, listen to the Space4U podcast. For more information on Tempur-Pedic and its line of products, visit: www.tempurpedic.com.