By Anita Winter
When we refer to hammocks most people think comfort, relaxation and vacation. Believe it or not early hammocks provided more than just recreation and leisure. These simple fabric slings hung between two trees have greater value than you realize. Hammocks are a very unique invention with a very interesting history.
Hammocks have said to have been around as early as the 1400s. It was Christopher Columbus that first introduced these clever sling beds to Europe. It was said that he brought several back to Spain after spending time in the West Indies.
Early hammocks were actually made from the bark of the hamack tree but later were made from sisal fibers of agave plants. These agave plants were more abundant and served as a better replacement because sisal fibers are very strong, durable and at the time, were used to make twine and rope.
One of the many reasons that hammocks later became popular in Central and South America was their ability to provide safety from disease through insect bites and stings. By suspending beds above ground, people were better protected from snakes, crawling insects like scorpions and other harmful creatures.
Hammocks would soon become a great replacement for bunks on sailing ships because they saved space. Ships were constantly in motion so hammock stands would help cradle the occupant and move with the ship which made the ride smooth and less of a risk of sailors falling during large swells and rough seas.
In countries like Venezuela entire villages slept in hammocks. The harsh jungle environment of South America motivated further development of the Venezuelan hammock for use in other tropical environments. Westerners were impressed with how well constructed and functional they were.
The Venezuelan woven panels were always made of breathable material. These served well in the humid and rainy climate conditions to prevent the onset of fungal infections. A fine woven mosquito net was eventually added to provide more protection from mosquitoes, flies and crawling insects, especially in areas notorious for malaria. A waterproof top sheet could be added to protect from heavy evening rains. Drip strings were short pieces of string tied to suspension lines to prevent rainwater from running down the tree trunk into the hammock itself.
The Venezuelan hammock was modified and became known as a jungle hammock. A breathable false cotton bottom panel was added to these jungle hammocks, allowing air to pass through while still preventing mosquito bites. The jungle hammock gave even more protection against crawling insects by simply wetting the suspension ropes with insect repellent. These hammocks later were adopted by the United States Army.
Currently you can find hammocks being used worldwide. They are adaptable to any environment and setting. There are traditional to modern looking fabric hammocks depending on the application. These are great for camping, rock climbing or just to lounge and nap in your backyard.
