Aside from levitating beds for the super-rich, there hasn’t been a lot of advancement in bed design of late—or at all, for thousands of years. There’s only so much you can do without compromising the functionality of a horizontal thing to lie down on. But that doesn’t mean the history of beds is not without interest. Here are ten examples of quirky designs that time most definitely forgot.

10. The Great Bed of Ware

The Great Bed of Ware was a pop cultural icon, referenced by Shakespeare and Jonson. In the play Twelfth Night, Sir Toby Belch proclaims of a large piece of paper that it’s “big enough for the [Great] Bed of Ware.” Constructed around 1590, this enormous four-poster is over three meters wide to accommodate more than four couples. It’s almost the same from top to bottom and, standing at a height of 2.67 meters, it’s taller than many people’s bedrooms—even today.

This giant bed was named for Ware, a town in Hertfordshire, once a convenient stopping-off point for travelers between Cambridge and London. Many who slept in the bed carved initials in the wood or left their seals in red wax. Now on display at London’s V&A, the bed is a stunning example of Elizabethan craftsmanship, complete with intricate Renaissance motifs: acanthus leaves, lions and satyrs, painted people, and more. The antique vandalism by sleepers only adds to the overall allure.

The Great Bed of Ware has changed hands several times over the years, housed at five different inns before it wound up at a fortified manor. There it was largely forgotten until 1931 when the V&A acquired it for £4,000—roughly £340,000 in today’s money and more than any other furniture they’ve bought. Interestingly, it was loaned back to Ware in 2012 for a year—with the help of cranes.

9. The box bed

The box bed, or lit clos, resembled a cupboard. It was basically a wooden box with a bed inside that was popular 600 years ago—for some highly practical reasons. For one thing, it afforded sleepers privacy and space at a time when families lived in cramped single rooms. It also retained warmth in harsh winters. More importantly, though, it protected sleepers from intrusion by wild animals—wolves, bears, and so on—or even just livestock wandering through (the origin of counting sheep?). 

It was used throughout Europe from the Middle Ages to the 1800s. So its design varied widely from simple wooden boxes to objets d’art with elaborately carved, painted, or paneled sides. Some had curtains, prioritizing privacy, while others had doors (often sliding doors) to prioritize safety from animals. Most were also raised off the ground, allowing for storage beneath.

8. Dr. Graham’s Celestial Bed

Scottish-born eccentric James Graham didn’t finish medical school but called himself a doctor all the same. His particular interest, after five years in America where he was captivated by Benjamin Franklin’s lightning rods, was in the healing potential of electricity. He saw it (or at least touted it) as a miraculous cure-all, especially for sexual vitality.

He opened his Temple of Health in 1780 at London’s Adelphi Terrace. Visitors were met with perfumed air, mood lighting, and electrical demonstrations, including sparks and flashes from Leyden jars and the Temple’s centerpiece: a giant phallic conductor flanked by two semi-globes. What most came for, though, was the Celestial Bed. Combining pseudoscience with erotic titillation, this bed (three meters wide and four meters long) was surrounded by magnets and other devices to maximize the chance of conception—as well as sexual pleasure, which he said was the key to healthy offspring. It was also packed full of stallion tail hair and oats, and there was music and lighting for ambiance. Above them on the ceiling was a giant mirror and on the headboard was inscribed the biblical imperative: “Be fruitful. Multiply and Replenish the Earth.” Couples paid a hefty fee of 50 guineas to 100 pounds a night.

Although successful for a time, people soon saw through it. Amid mounting debts, Dr. Graham fled London for Edinburgh and, after some time in jail for indecency, set himself up in the mud bath trade—promoting them as the path to immortality.

7. Thomas Jefferson’s alcove bed

Thomas Jefferson’s alcove bed at Monticello was literally built into the wall between rooms—namely his bedroom and his study. This way, he had easy access to both. 

Of course, it also gave him easy access from both—which was useful for keeping to his strict routine of getting up early and sleeping in the evening.

This was also the bed he died in, on July 4, 1826, 50 years to the day after the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

6. Self-making bed 

The fairly ludicrous concept of a self-making bed appears in several patents. One, from the 1980s, involves a system of arms and rollers to smooth down the covers after use. According to the inventor, the arms are mounted onto the bed frame and use rotating wheels and helical screw rollers to stretch and flatten bedspreads from the center to the edges. Proceeding from the foot of the bed to the head, they serve to smooth and secure the covers in place.

Powered by an electric motor connected to a drive shaft, these somewhat terrifying arms were specially designed to avoid messing up the sheets in returning to their start point. It’s not exactly clear if the bed was ever made but it’s hard to imagine it would have caught on.

Even so, there is something similar on the market today. Instead of mechanical arms, Smartduvet’s inflatable layer just under the cover lifts and smooths out the wrinkles.

5. Two-penny hangover

In the 19th century, England’s industrialization gave rise to a surge in population, leading to a homelessness crisis (or a golden age of vagabonds, depending on how you look at it). The answer from charities in London was a range of simple beds for the destitute—among which was the “two-penny hangover”.

Basically, this was a communal sleeping arrangement where tramps paid tuppence to sit on a bench and lean over a rope strung from one side of a room to the other. Although it provided support throughout the night—and some security, by virtue of being indoors—it wasn’t the most comfortable solution. Not only were sleepers crammed in together but, at dawn, the rope was simply dropped to the floor, waking the sleepers to shove them out the door. Fittingly, the two-penny hangover is one possible origin of the relatively modern term “hangover,” as in the after-effects of getting wasted. (Incidentally, the phrase “sleep tight” comes from a medieval rope bed that had to be tightened every so often to support a mattress.)

Another sleeping arrangement for tramps, aimed at the more discerning and well-to-do vagrant, was the “fourpenny coffin”. Despite the macabre shape, these wooden boxes at least afforded tramps a horizontal sleep. They also came with a very simple covering.

4. Piano bed

In the 19th and early 20th centuries in America, the piano was a must-have piece of furniture. Even if no one ever played it, it became a status symbol for the parlor. 

Of course, it also had a big footprint, like a bed—which explains why some chose to combine them. Smith & Co.’s 1885 “Convertible Bed in Form of Upright Piano” didn’t actually work as a piano; it just looked like one. Inside, a fold-out wooden bed frame left no space for hammers and strings—let alone acoustics.

An earlier patent, from one John McDonald of New York, in 1869, described a “keyboard musical instrument … that … may be opened up to serve as a bed and which, when closed, shall have every appearance of and may in fact be a real instrument.”

3. Rotating bed

What if your bed was like a giant lazy susan? First introduced in 1968, the rotating bed was designed by Luigi Massoni (and later immortalized by the spy Austin Powers). It had a circular mattress that could be rotated in either direction on wheels built into the base.

The rotating bed also appeared in Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion, where it was something of a centerpiece. Quaintly, his featured a built-in telephone and stereo system.

Although rotating beds are still on the market, they’ll forever be a throwback as a concept.

2. Arcuccio co-sleeper

As the parent of a baby, you can say goodbye to sleep. If you’re not waking up to deal with its screams, you’re worried because you’re not hearing any. But you can’t just sleep with the baby in your bed because of the risk of suffocation and overheating.

It was to address this problem that, in the 17th century, the arcuccio co-sleeper was designed. Here was a baby bed that allowed mothers to breastfeed without getting up, or, in theory, even waking up. It was kind of like a wooden cage for the baby, designed to be placed right on the bed with its mother. The key innovation was a cutout for her breast, giving babies easy and intuitive access, while also preventing suffocation by keeping the bulk of the mother’s body, as well as the bedclothes, at bay.

It became so well known in Florence that its use was practically mandatory.

1. Baby cage

Patents for cage-like cribs suspended from windows several floors up were surprisingly common in the early twentieth century. One, from 1919, appeared after an influential pediatrician said children who sleep outdoors grew up stronger. Aimed at urban families, it was basically a bird cage for a baby that parents could attach to the window frame of their gardenless apartments.

Eleanor Roosevelt was among the baby cage’s fans. But the idea was less popular with her neighbors—one of whom threatened to report her for hanging her daughter out of the window. “This was a shock,” Roosevelt wrote later; she’d thought she was being “a most modern mother.”

Also known as a window crib or health cage, its fledgling popularity hasn’t survived to this day.

Ever since Richard Nixon got busted for the whole Watergate affair, presidential scandals have become depressingly normalized. Reagan had Iran-Contra. Clinton had his affair with Monica Lewinsky. Biden plagiarized, and Trump seemed to commit an impeachable offense every 48 hours for four years straight, and that wasn’t even counting the guy’s personal life. But in all the chaos, multiple other historical affairs involving US presidents have been forgotten or swept under the rug. Let’s take a look at a few long-lost presidential affairs from yesteryear…

10. The Petticoat Affair

The Petticoat Affair, also known as the Peggy Eaton Affair, was a serious social and political scandal during Andrew Jackson’s administration in the early 1830s. At its core was the marriage of Peggy Eaton, a young widow, to John Henry Eaton, a prominent politician and close friend of the President.

The scandal erupted due to the social snubbing Peggy received from Washington’s elite. Many of the cabinet members’ wives, led by Floride Calhoun (wife of Vice President John C. Calhoun), ostracized Peggy Eaton because of rumors about her allegedly improper conduct before her first husband’s death.

President Jackson, empathizing with Peggy’s predicament and drawing from his own experiences with his late wife Rachel, staunchly supported the Eatons. The scandal led to a reshuffling of Jackson’s cabinet, known as the “Kitchen Cabinet,” as several members, notably Vice President Calhoun, resigned over the issue.

9. The Teapot Dome Scandal

The Teapot Dome Scandal was another serious political scandal that unfolded in the early 1920s, during Warren G. Harding’s presidency. This one centered on the secret leasing of federal oil reserves, including the Teapot Dome in Wyoming and other locations in California, to private oil companies without competitive bidding.

Albert B. Fall, the Secretary of the Interior, played a central role in the scandal. He accepted bribes and loans from private oil companies in exchange for granting them lucrative leases to exploit the reserves. Harry Sinclair and Edward Doheny were prominent figures involved in this scandal, representing Sinclair Oil Corporation and Pan American Petroleum respectively.

The scandal came to light as investigations were conducted, revealing the corruption and bribery that had taken place. Fall became the first Cabinet member in US history to be imprisoned for crimes committed while in office. The Teapot Dome Scandal tarnished Harding’s administration and eroded public trust in the government, emphasizing the need for transparency and ethics in public office.

8. The Credit Mobilier Scandal

The Credit Mobilier scandal was a classic case of 19th-century American corruption, featuring intrigue, kickbacks, and even a railroad or two. Back in the late 1860s, during the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad, the Credit Mobilier construction company was formed. Sounds innocent enough, right? Well, not quite.

See, the insiders of Credit Mobilier were also high-ranking officials of the Union Pacific Railroad, which was awarded the contract for building the eastern portion of the railroad. Here comes the twist: Credit Mobilier drastically overcharged the government for the construction, making huge profits while Uncle Sam footed the bill. To keep things hush-hush, they generously greased the palms of various politicians with company stock at a bargain. A bribe disguised as a stock option — now that’s an innovative financial maneuver.

Predictably, this cozy arrangement didn’t remain a secret forever. Journalists got wind of it and blew the case wide open, leading to congressional investigations (among those investigated, but ultimately absolved, was Schuyler Colfax, the Vice President to Ulysses S. Grant) and a fair share of public outrage. 

7. The Whiskey Ring Scandal

Ulysses S. Grant was a great general and created the Justice Department to fight the KKK. But as President, he did oversee a lot of corruption. The Whiskey Ring scandal in particular was like a plot twist in a 19th-century political drama, blending tax evasion, bribery, and the allure of whiskey. During the post-Civil War period, the federal government imposed a hefty tax on distilled spirits, a significant source of revenue. However, some distillers and government officials had a different recipe in mind.

In the early 1870s, a group of distillers and government agents conspired to evade taxes by underreporting their whiskey production. The plan was audacious but effective: pocket the tax money that should have gone to the government and ensure friendly faces were placed in key positions to facilitate this scheme. President Ulysses S. Grant’s own private secretary, Orville Babcock, was allegedly implicated in the ring.

The party came to an end when an honest Treasury Department clerk, John McDonald, blew the whistle. The subsequent investigations exposed the ring’s operations, leading to numerous indictments and convictions, including Babcock’s. This scandal not only shed light on the pervasive corruption in the Grant administration but also highlighted the importance of enforcing tax laws and maintaining integrity within government ranks. 

6. Nixon’s Secret Bombing of Cambodia

In the tumultuous era of the Vietnam War, President Richard Nixon added a controversial chapter by secretly ordering the bombing of Cambodia. This covert operation, known as the Cambodian Incursion, commenced in 1969. The rationale behind it was to target North Vietnamese supply routes (the Ho Chi Minh Trail) and base areas that extended into Cambodia.

However, Nixon’s decision to conduct these bombings without the approval or even knowledge of the U.S. Congress triggered a storm of legal and moral debates. The executive branch had overstepped its constitutional authority, bypassing the checks and balances system. The lack of transparency only fueled public distrust in the government, already exacerbated by the ongoing anti-war movement.

Furthermore, the Cambodian Incursion escalated the conflict geographically and extended the duration of the war. The bombings also had devastating consequences for Cambodia, destabilizing the region and contributing to the rise of the Khmer Rouge, which later plunged Cambodia into the horrors of the genocide. 

5. Grover Cleveland’s Illegitimate Child

Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, found himself entangled in a scandal involving allegations of fathering an illegitimate child. In 1874, while he was a bachelor and a lawyer in Buffalo, New York, Cleveland supposedly had a relationship with Maria Halpin, a widow. The relationship ended, and Halpin gave birth to a son, Oscar Folsom Cleveland, in 1874. Cleveland, upon learning of the child, took responsibility and provided financial support.

This matter surfaced during the 1884 presidential campaign when Cleveland was the Democratic nominee. His opponents sought to tarnish his image by highlighting this scandal. Instead of denying the paternity allegations, Cleveland admitted to paying child support and acknowledged the possibility of being the father. He managed to weather the storm by being forthright and transparent about the situation, which helped to mitigate the scandal’s impact on his electoral prospects.

In a surprising twist, Cleveland was elected as the 22nd President of the United States. His handling of the scandal showcased his honesty and directness, qualities that appealed to the public. 

4. Warren G. Harding’s Extramarital Affairs 

Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States, was involved in a scandalous series of extramarital affairs during his time in office. The guy was known for his charisma and affable demeanor, and clearly used that for some ill-gotten romantic gains. He soon became embroiled in several romantic relationships outside of his marriage to Florence Kling Harding. Notably, he was linked to women such as Nan Britton and Carrie Fulton Phillips.

One of the most infamous affairs was with Nan Britton, which began before Harding assumed the presidency. Britton claimed to have had a long-standing relationship with Harding, resulting in the birth of a daughter named Elizabeth Ann in 1919. Despite the affair’s scandalous nature, it came to light after Harding’s death, tarnishing his posthumous reputation.

Harding’s affairs were a poorly kept secret in political and social circles, but their full extent only came to light years later, helping him survive politically. 

3. Andrew Johnson’s Drunkenness

Andrew Johnson, the 17th President of the United States, was known for his struggles with alcohol and instances of public intoxication. His fondness for getting wasted was embarrassingly evident during his time in the public eye, both before and during his presidency. Johnson’s behavior was often erratic and at times embarrassing, which raised concerns about his ability to govern effectively.

Reports of Johnson’s drinking habits date back to his years in Tennessee politics, where his penchant for alcohol was pretty well-known. This carried into his Presidency, and he was observed inebriated on several occasions during important events. 

Johnson’s alcohol consumption during a time of great national significance fueled criticism and speculation about his fitness for office. But honestly, given how awful he was as President, maybe this shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise. 

2. Nixon’s Enemies List 

Yeah, Nixon had more scandals than just Watergate. During his presidency, there emerged an infamous “Enemies List,” officially titled the “Opponents List.” This list was compiled by aides in the Nixon administration to track individuals whom they perceived as political adversaries or critics of the president and his policies. The list included politicians, journalists, activists, and various public figures who were seen as detrimental to Nixon’s administration.

The list was revealed during the Watergate scandal, which engulfed Nixon’s presidency. It became public knowledge after it was disclosed by Dean Butterfield, a former White House counsel, during Senate hearings on the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up. The revelation shocked the nation, as it indicated a systematic effort to undermine political opponents.

The existence of this list proved how psychotically paranoid Nixon was, and how far he was willing to go to suppress dissent and opposition. 

1.  Andrew Jackson’s Duels 

Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, was involved in several duels during his lifetime. Maybe it shouldn’t be too surprising, since the guy was also known for his fiery temperament and unwillingness to let bygones be bygones in his personal life. 

One of the most infamous duels involving Andrew Jackson took place in 1806 with Charles Dickinson. Dickinson had insulted Jackson’s wife, Rachel, in a published letter. In their duel, Dickinson shot Jackson first, hitting him in the chest near the heart. Jackson, determined to defend his honor, took aim and fired, killing Dickinson. The bullet that struck Jackson remained lodged near his heart for the rest of his life.

Another notable duel was with Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton in 1813. In this duel, both men fired shots but missed, and they subsequently reconciled, forming a lifelong friendship. So that’s nice, we guess. But there really are better ways to make a pal than by failing to murder each other over petty grievances. 

Jackson’s willingness to defend his honor through dueling was a reflection of the societal norms and attitudes of his time, where pers