Don Nolan-Proxmire
Headquarters, Washington, DC                        May 6, 1998
(Phone:  202/358-1983)

RELEASE:  98-77

TEST PILOTS TO TESTBEDS -- NASA CUSHIONS 
LIFTOFF AND EASES BEDSORES 

     A foam material developed by NASA researchers to cushion 
pilots against the rigors of test flight, and currently in use 
aboard the Space Shuttles, is now being successfully sold in 
pillows and mattresses by a Lexington, KY, company to treat 
disorders ranging from sleeplessness to the more severe illness of 
pressure ulcers, commonly known as bedsores.

     Tempur-Pedic's products have been cited by the U.S. 
Department of Veterans Affairs as "very effective for the 
treatment and prevention" of bedsores and "very comfortable" to 
patients.  Both the Veterans Affairs Department and the National 
Institutes of Health have purchased hundreds of Tempur-Pedic 
products for use in their pain management and ulcer treatment 
programs.  Bedsores, which can be fatal if left untreated, cost 
the Medicare and Medicaid programs almost $2 billion annually for 
treatment of wheelchair-bound, nursing home and hospital patients.

     The one millionth pillow produced by the company, Tempur-
Pedic, will be presented by its CEO, Robert Trussell, to NASA 
Administrator Daniel S. Goldin, on Wednesday, May 6, at 5 p.m. EDT 
in the NASA Headquarters Auditorium, 300 E Street, SW, Washington, 
DC. 

     Administrator Goldin said, "This NASA technology designed to 
protect astronauts and pilots is now being used to help the 
elderly, the disabled and hospital patients.  NASA is deeply 
committed to transferring our unique knowledge to improve the 
quality of life for all Americans."  Tempur-Pedic's Trussell 
added, "We have taken NASA's space-age material and developed it 
into 'body-friendly' bedding, which distributes pressure more 
evenly throughout the spine, joints and other parts of the body."

     Tempur-Pedic's pillows, mattresses and other products made 
from Temper Foam have billions of self-ventilating memory 
molecules that slowly react to body heat and weight.  It was first 
developed by NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, for 
use in aircraft test-pilot seats and to protect airline passengers 
in crashes.  Temper Foam was recently inducted into the United 
States Space Foundation's Space Technology Hall of Fame,  Colorado 
Springs, CO.

     NASA actively encourages commercialization of its 
technologies.  To learn more about NASA innovations, 
commercialization efforts and the Agency's technology transfer 
programs, interested parties can call 1-800-678-6882 or access the 
NASA Commercial Technology Network web page at URL: 

                  http://nctn.hq.nasa/gov/

     Tempur-Pedic can be contacted by telephoning 1-800-886-6466 
or at the web address:

                     www.tempurpedic.com


                            -end-