Rise and Fall of Waterbeds

“Maybe it’s time waterbeds made a comeback.” The Atlantic wonders why the bed that once boasted a better sex life and (eventually) a good night’s sleep became so unpopular so fast. “They were The Bed of the Sexual Revolution. Hugh Hefner reportedly had a huge one covered in Tasmanian possum hair. Yes, possum. Companies used that sex appeal to their advantage with slogans like, ‘Two things are better on a waterbed. One of them is sleep.’ and ‘She’ll admire you for your car, she’ll respect you for your position, but she’ll love you for your waterbed.’ It worked. … By 1986, they had 20 percent of the bed market. Everyone wanted one. And then, as suddenly as they’d become cool, they became lame. Super lame. Like, mustache and shoulder pad lame.”