| Heating blankets were not envisioned the way we | | | | comfortable to use, and less bulky. |
| see them today: they have evolved over about a | | | | In the 1950s, the term 'electric blanket' was first |
| century to their present form. The early 1990s saw | | | | introduced - before this, they were usually called |
| these big, bulky and heavy electric heating devices | | | | 'warming pads' or 'heated quilts'. These became |
| that looked nothing like the kind of heating blankets | | | | widely available around the same time, when |
| we can so easily purchase from any super market | | | | different vendors started retailing these to the |
| today. | | | | general public. Before this, these were usually |
| In the 1920s, electric blankets saw more of the | | | | reserved for sanatoriums and the military. |
| mainstream, through widespread use in sanitariums. | | | | In the 1980s, thermostat-free heated comforters |
| Most tuberculosis patients are suggested to spend as | | | | started becoming available commercially; these were |
| much time in the open as possible, and in the cold | | | | even more hassle-free than the previous kind, given |
| weather, these electric blankets proved ideal for | | | | their advanced technology and lighter weight. These |
| outdoor use, especially during the night. | | | | thermostat-free blankets employ rheostats for |
| In the 1930s, these heated blankets started coming | | | | safety and consistency of temperature. These |
| preinstalled with thermostats, which made their use a | | | | rheostats are advanced in the sense that they not |
| lot more safe and convenient. Either temperatures | | | | only gauge the heat and temperature of the blanket, |
| could be set, or these came equipped to turn on and | | | | but also of one's body. The result is more even |
| off to maintain a certain pre-specified temperature. | | | | heating and fewer hot spots, helping to steer clear of |
| Some started coming with more than one | | | | burn hazards that are quite common with habitual use |
| thermostat installed, to vary the heat levels in various | | | | of these heated comforters. These blankets can also |
| parts of it. These thermostats also acted as safety | | | | be programmed to send more heat to one part of |
| mechanisms, as turning off after a certain | | | | the body and lesser to another, according to your |
| temperature is reached is one of the basic features | | | | comfort and preferences. |
| necessary in such in device to prevent burning - | | | | These blankets prove exceptionally helpful in sub zero |
| something which is easily possible when one is asleep. | | | | temperatures, and are especially beneficial for the |
| After some time, these thermostats began being | | | | elderly and otherwise bed ridden. |
| installed inside the blanket linings, making them more | | | | |