What is a hammock

Those who have ever lay in a hammock will never forget these sensations. Measured rocking soothes, promoting complete rest. And a comfortable body position gives a feeling of weightlessness, making the recovery of tired muscles much faster. But few people thought about whose invention this comfortable bed was.

What is a hammock

The name of the hanging bed (and this is exactly how its name is translated from the language of the South American Indians) came to us from the French. They adopted it from the Spaniards, to whom it migrated from the language of the Caribbean Indians.

In our understanding, a hammock is a place for a pleasant rest, characterized by lightness and mobility. But once upon a time it was a vital item that accompanied a person on a campaign.

Story

The hammock was invented by the indigenous people of America - the Indians. A hanging bed always accompanied a warrior on campaigns - light and compact, when unfolded it was able to protect a sleeping person from poisonous snakes and insects, summer heat and damp forest soil.

Columbus, who discovered America, noticed an easy-to-manufacture and practical new product. It was he who introduced it to Europe, where the hammock immediately migrated to sea vessels. On a small ship, it was difficult for the crew to fit in for proper rest, and a hanging bed easily solved this issue: the crew had the opportunity to get a good night's sleep without taking up useful space in the hold.The military, for whom an extra cannon on board was worth more than the comfort of the sailors, used hammocks until the 20th century.

Description

Initially, it was a rectangular piece of fabric or a fishing net, which was attached with ropes to two trunks of trees located at a convenient distance and was intended for sleeping in the lap of nature. Then it was supplemented with two transverse bars to make it easier to use. In this form, it has reached the modern consumer, who uses it for short-term recreation.

There are designer hammock options woven from wicker or even carved from wood. But they failed to become popular - the original turned out to be much more convenient than the alterations, even when used for short-term recreation.

Types of hammocks by type of execution

The tourist version has retained maximum similarity with the ancestor of hanging beds. But decades of popularity could not pass without a trace, and now the hammock is represented by a line of various products that can be divided into categories:

• suspension;
• frame;
• swing;
• armchair.

Each of them has a number of features. So, the first option is made of coarse mesh, dense artificial or natural fabric. It stands out for its simplicity of design and low cost. But since it is quite difficult to find a convenient place to place it, a frame variation of furniture was invented. This hanging bed model is complemented by a base and posts. The frame can be:

• prefabricated - an easily erected structure for temporary use;
• stationary - more stable and durable, but rather bulky.

The swing, despite all its diversity, also originated from the hammock.The design is based on a seat made of various materials and two fixation points that are simply moved from the side to the top.

For city apartments, a compact version was invented, for hanging which only one fixation point is enough. The hammock chair differs from its predecessors in its smaller size and the structure of the rafter system. However, it has retained its characteristic features and, most importantly, comfort.