Though the company was founded in 1901, Vispring’s seminal moment arrived two years prior with the invention of the pocket sprung mattress. The technology was dreamed up and realized by the British engineer James Marshall in a last ditch bid to help his bed-bound wife feel more comfortable. Whereas traditional mattresses are made with a network of interlinked and codependent springs inside, Marshall’s vision was for each spring to act according to the weight distribution and body contours of the user. In essence, a more responsive and comfortable place to lie down.

Marshall took to the task alone, making his wife a new bed by hand with each of the hundreds of coils wrapped in its own musling pocket. His invention was such a hit with its first user that Marshall decided to take things further, soon founding the Marshall Sanitary Mattress Company.

Impressed by Marshall’s innovative invention, two British entrepreneurs, John Nolon and Frederick James, as representatives of the Marshall Mattress Sanitary Company, made efforts to promote the product to the British public. However, they encountered difficulties in convincing local manufacturers about the specialized nature of pocket spring mattresses compared to traditional ones, hence the product couldn’t be mass-produced at that time.

The year 1911 marked the company’s first significant milestone in development. With its elegant design and exceptional quality, Vispring mattress products were chosen to furnish the first-class cabins on the world’s largest ocean liners such as the Titanic, Olympic, and Britannic.

Over time, Vispring consistently improved its mattress design through more luxurious methods, using precious and durable materials such as horsehair, 100% cotton, or Shetland wool to create comfortable cushioning layers, which were then finished with silk and cashmere fibers.

The year 1932 continued to mark another significant milestone: Vispring successfully produced the world’s first divan bed utilizing pocket springs. The Vispring divan bed provided a suitable support base for its accompanying mattress, handcrafted with individually encased pocket springs made from vanadium steel and secured within a wooden frame. The surface of the product was then finished with natural materials such as horsehair, cotton, and wool fibers.

Based on the principle of providing users with the best possible sleep at night, Vispring continuously developed and grew throughout its early decades of operation. In 1971, the company relocated its headquarters from London to the port city of Plymouth, where a large number of skilled local artisans were concentrated, contributing to its exceptional craftsmanship.

Vispring has received numerous prestigious awards, with a notable example being the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, which is bestowed upon outstanding businesses.

Despite its significant growth, the company remains committed to its mission of providing the community with the best and most comfortable sleep. This dedication was recognized when Vispring was awarded the “Bed Of The Year” at the Bed Industry Awards ceremony in 2019.