Recharging and Relaxing the Right Way: The History Of Hammocks

October 16, 2020

Recharging and Relaxing the Right Way: The History Of Hammocks

Pulitzer Prize winning author and novelist, Alice Walker, once said, “People who work hard often work too hard...may we learn to honor the hammock, the siesta, the nap and the pause in all its forms.”

For most people, the mere sight of a hammock conjures up visions of relaxation and rest. At the very least, hammocks embody a relaxed way of life for those looking to engage with the outdoors.

The first hammocks were used by the indigenous people of Middle and South America. In fact, these sleeping devices were once made from the bark of the hammack tree known as “hamaca”.

In 1492, the famous explorer, Christopher Columbus, saw people in the Bahamas “sleeping between the trees”. This inspired him to utilize this comfortable, yet functional device with his sailors on future expeditions. With the use of a hammock, sailors could avoid sleeping on a cold, hard, and dirty deck, allowing explorers to get a restful night’s sleep while traveling from port to port during an expedition.

Today, hammocks are used primarily as a way to relax or to catch a quick nap or restful sleep while hiking, camping, hanging out on the beach or in your backyard. And, while they were once typically used in tropical climates, the benefits of a hammock can be enjoyed anywhere in the world. 

Today, hammocks come in a variety of styles, shapes, and fabric types. At HEAVENDROPt, we create our very own lightweight hammocks from authentic military parachutes used by US Servicemen and Servicewomen. Our sturdy, triple stitched, double nylon hammocks can be used anywhere and are a hiker’s dream. One of HEAVENDROPt’s most popular and best-selling products, our parachute hammocks are quick-drying and portable so they can be easily carried in the convenient bag that is included with each hammock purchase. Plus, when you purchase a product from HEAVENDROPt, you are helping to provide a paycheck to veterans and people with disabilities.

HEAVENDROPt, is a social enterprise of Evergreen Life Services, and employs both veterans and individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Purchasing products from HEAVENDROPt not only allows you to have an amazing functional piece of military history, it also allows you to help our mission of providing meaningful work experiences with those with disabilities.

To learn more about our mission, view our amazing yet affordable products, and discover how we serve veterans and people with disabilities by providing vocational training through upcycling authentic military parachutes, visit heavendropt.org and evergreenls.org.

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