The idea of a "bed" in the more modern form that we understand it now originates as far back as 8000BC although these crude attempts were made from nothing more than piles of straw or other materials such as leaves etc.
The most important development at this stage was raising the bed off the ground and this happened around 2500BC but consisted of not much more than a wooden box filled with the then traditional materials instead of a mattress.
The Egyptians were probably the first race to create a bed as we know it today and certainly the first to use such materials as wood to create the frame / bedstead, it is believed that they even had such adornments as headrests, although these luxurious beds would have been reserved for the most elite members of the society.
The idea of a bed moved into Europe with the advent of the Roman Empire where the most senior members of the Roman army were afforded the luxury of something more comfortable than a blanket to sleep on.
Mattresses were developed although they were stuffed with natural materials such as hay.
As we move into more modern eras the most significant developments come around the 17th century.
Here we see beds becoming grand for the first time.
Huge bedsteads, high headrests, curtains, four posters etc.
The use of gold, velvet and other expensive materials started to be used more and more and beds became a status symbol of the rich and famous.
Wooden beds have evolved greatly over this time and the creation of this piece of furniture became an art form in it's own right, with the use of more advanced techniques and tools with the craft being passed down through generations.
Much of this craft has now been lost to mass production but good quality wooden beds can still be found and it is the quality of the wood itself that should be looked at in most detail.