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The hammock is the quintessential symbol of rest and relaxation. The mere sight, or even the mention, of one conjures images of sunny summer days spent snoozing in the shade, or lounging lazily by the pool. Because it is generally looked upon as existing purely for our comfort, indulgence, and pleasure, it may be hard to imagine that the hammock originated as a strictly practical piece of furniture. For that matter, it may even be difficult to think of it as furniture, but it is. Although it has existed for over 1,000 years, nobody knows for sure where the first one was made. HOWEVER – it is generally agreed upon that the hammock was discovered by none other than Christopher Columbus (yes, THE Christopher Columbus). Indeed, it appears that 1492 was a really happenin’ year for Columbus, as this great find came about on his most famous voyage. No, he didn’t run aground on a piece of fabric that was stretched out between two palm trees. He was introduced to the hammock, (or hamaca) by members of the Taino Indian tribe, who were natives of Haiti, and brought several of them back to Europe (the hammocks, not the Indians). It is believed that the hammock is so named because it was originally woven from the bark of the Hamack tree. Its invention is traced back to pre-Colombian Latin America, where it was created out of necessity. As most people of that time and place lived in open huts with dirt floors, they had to put up with the constant intrusions of reptiles, insects, arachnids, rodents, and other animals. Much more than nuisances, these unbidden visitors were often poisonous, disease-ridden, and otherwise life-threatening. Aside from the danger posed by the creatures that crawled or walked in, it wasn’t exactly pleasant – or sanitary – to sleep in the dirt. Therefore, besides keeping people off the floor, the hammocks allowed them to sleep peacefully and comfortably out of the reach of nighttime prowlers. Although some of these creepers could – and undoubtedly did – crawl up, the smaller ones often fell through the hammocks, which were made of mesh (so it was a fine mesh that they got into [pause for groan] – I KNOW!). Especially in mountainous regions, where it could get extremely cold at night, people would often put hot coals underneath their hammocks. This not only provided warmth, but acted as a deterrent to the unwelcome, persistent pests as well. From there, the hammock has continued to make its way down through history, evolving in several forms, styles, and materials in different societies. Fortunately for all of us, the hardships that brought it into being have left us with a purely pleasurable piece of outdoor furniture. At CedarStore.com, along with their incomparable selection of outdoor furniture, you’ll find a wide variety of hammocks and hammock chairs in several materials and designs. As colorful as they are comfortable, they will fit into the décor of any porch, patio, or gazebo, and are even stylish enough to use indoors. To see the entire, incredible collection, visit CedarStore.com. To contact one of their design consultants or customer service representatives, call 1-888-293-2339 or e-mail contact@cedarstore.com.
Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com
Hammocks | Porch Swings | Outdoor Furniture
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