Memory foam, also known as temper foam, was first marketed in the middle 1960s in conjunction with NASA AMES Research technology transfer programme. Properties of the sort of flexible polyurethane foam (FPF) with open cells made it possible to both relieve g-force pressure on the astronauts during lift-off and landing and to provide more comfortable seats for commercial airline pilots during long flights.

It was only recently that the production technology of the memory foam, which has been known for 35 years already, started to be implemented in commercial products widely accessible to customers. Even distribution of pressure by memory foam is one of the most important innovations in the FPF branch. Memory foam slowly gets back to shape after lifting the pressure. The foam gradually conforms to the shape of a heavy object pressing against it (for example, human body) and slowly returns to its own shape after the pressure is removed. Thus it can be called "slow spring back foam".

Some other properties of memory foam: it damps down vibrations, absorbs shock, reacts to body and surroundings temperature (it softens under the influence of warmth, which makes it adapt easier to the shape of human body), it distributes body weight evenly, reducing the risk of bedsores.

Article based on the information provided by the Producers of Polyurethane Foam Association.