The finest handmade beds / 100 years in the making
Our story begins in 1899 with British engineer, James Marshall. When his wife was taken ill in Canada, James hand-made her a supportive mattress with coiled springs wrapped in muslin. It was a revelation in comfort.
But it wasn’t until 1901 that the revolutionary design came to Britain. Brought over by John Nolon and Frederick James, the pair decided to produce the mattress commercially and incorporated the Marshall Sanitary Mattress Company in 1901.
In 1911, ocean liners were the way to travel. And it was here that Vispring (as they were now known) found their first major orders. The bespoke comfort of a Vispring mattress fitted perfectly in the opulent cabins and suites of the world’s finest ships like the Titanic and Olympic.
As the years went by, Vispring’s expert bed makers started to experiment with new mattress fillings. They introduced more natural materials like horsehair, pure cotton, and Shetland wool, as well as luxury finishes like silk and cashmere. In 1932, Vispring also created the world’s first pocket-sprung divan – that is known as the ultimate sleeping experience.
After decades of innovation and countless bespoke mattresses, Vispring was given the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2012. The award honours any business that has excelled in the fields of international trade, innovation or sustainable development. It’s one of our proudest achievements.
