Simmons Co.

The Chicago-based Simmons Company, now known as Simmons Bedding Company, was founded by Zalmon Simmons in 1870 to manufacture spring beds at a time when mattresses were made of cotton and horsehair. Zalmon Simmons had received a patent for woven wire bedsprings as payment in lieu of cash from a customer at Simmons’ general store. The company produced the Beautyrest mattress, for which they are best known, in 1925. When Bel Geddes began designing for the company, in 1928, Simmons was producing only beds and nightstands (in addition to mattresses), but Bel Geddes recommended that they expand their line to include dressing tables, highboys, and other bedroom furniture.