To celebrate 100 years the National Bed Federation (NBF) is launching an exclusive centenary history book that tells the inside story of the trade association for UK manufacturers of beds, mattresses and their suppliers. 

Written by Bill Laws, a social historian, ‘Bed Times’ is a 118-page publication that reveals how this small but influential trade association not only charted its way through two world wars, numerous recessions, and the most dramatic technological changes ever faced by the industry, it also changed the public’s buying habits.

Said Jessica Alexander, executive director of the NBF: “It’s a great honour to be part of the centenary year and to have been involved with the production of this book. It’s not only a lovely memento to be handed out at our Centenary Ball in Eastbourne but it’s a lasting reminder of the hard work and tenacious behaviour of the members of the NBF over the years.”

Snippets from the book include how in 1945 the NBF led the way on standards in bed manufacturing and in 1965 sponsored the first mattress testing machine at the British Standards Institution. Then the 1980s saw the NBF developing the first set of flammability specifications for mattresses; in the 1990s it launched the Sleep Council, and, in 2010, its first bed-specific trade exhibition.

Said author Bill Laws: “Bed Times gives a unique glimpse into the NBF’s history, thanks to its paper archive.  The NBF managed to preserve an extraordinary collection of documents. I can’t imagine my successor having such a rich resource in 2112!”

Copies of ‘Bed Times’ are available to purchase at £20 plus P&P.