Memory foam was developed in 1966 under a contract by NASA's Ames Research Center to improve the safety of aircraft cushions. The temperature-sensitive memory foam was initially referred to as "slow spring back foam"; most called it "temper foam". Created by feeding gas into a polymer matrix, it had an open-cell solid structure that matched pressure against it, yet slowly returned to its original shape.
Later commercialisation of the foam included use in medical equipment such as X-ray table pads, and sports equipment such as American / Canadian football helmet liners.
When NASA released memory foam to the public domain in the early 1980s, Fagerdala World Foams was one of the few companies willing to work with it, as the manufacturing process remained difficult and unreliable. Their 1991 product, the Tempur-Pedic Swedish Mattress eventually led to the mattress and cushion company Tempur World.
Memory foam was subsequently used in medical settings. For example, when patients were required to lie immobile in bed, on a firm mattress, for an unhealthy period of time, the pressure on some of their body regions impaired blood flow, causing pressure sores or gangrene. Memory foam mattresses significantly decreased such events, as well as alternating pressure air mattresses.
Memory foam was initially too expensive for widespread use, but became cheaper. Its most common domestic uses are mattresses, pillows, shoes, and blankets. It has medical uses, such as wheelchair seat cushions, hospital bed pillows and padding for people suffering long-term pain or postural problems.