The History of Hammocks

The history of hammocks began almost 1000 years ago. Hammocks have a rich and interesting ancient heritage. Take a look at their modest beginning…

Where it all began

Most Central and South American countries have a long association with hammocks that predate North American hammock history by 800 to 900 years. The hammock originated approximately 1000 years ago in Central America with the Mayan Indians. The Mayans were an amazing culture that invented the most accurate historical calendar, created their own writing system, and were extraordinary astronomers and mathematicians, not to mention that they invented the hammock!

The bark of the Hamack tree was used to make the original version of today's hammocks. Later, the Sisal plant {look alike of the Aloe Vera plant} replaced bark as the primary material in hammocks because it was more abundant. Interestingly, cotton only became a primary material in hammocks in the last 50-60 years.
 

In the Navy

When Columbus came to the "New World" on a quest for riches, he found natives of the Bahamas lounging in hammocks for their afternoon siesta instead! Columbus decided to take a load of hammocks back to Europe with him as a sort of substitute for the lack of other "Eastern treasures". Many sailors used hammocks as a practical method for sleeping at sea.

Europeans usually used canvas in their hammocks. Navies around the world used these naval hammocks which were small, sweaty, and cramped! During battle, the hammocks were rolled up and stored in racks as protection against small arms fire. A few bullet holes probably made for welcome ventilation!

In more recent hammock news

Hammocks in North America were still considered a novelty in the 1700s. Most hammocks were narrow and demanded agility and balance to actually use. Thanks in part to a wider version in the 1880's the hammock became more popular in North America.

Today, up to 2 million hammocks are sold every year in North America. Over 100 million people worldwide use hammocks every day as furniture for lounging or sleeping, including people in Africa, the Philippines, China, and of course, the originals in Central and South America.

More information on hammocks