In 1912, an American, S.I. Russell invented the electric heating pad. It was originally devised to act as a medical aid for tubercular patients. It was basically a small square of fabric which had electrically heated tapes running through it. They were produced for each individuals requirements. Many of the purchasers began to stitch four or more together to use as a bed warmer. The industry only began to adopt the idea of heating the bed rather than the body in 1937. This was the time when America started to introduce the overblanket. Parallel to this progression the British initiated the production of the electric underblanket which dominated the British market until the 1960's.
With the advance of technology greater safety became the manufacturers priority. Subsequent refinements included the use of safer materials such as vinyl plastic to cover the electrical elements. This idea evolved from wartime investigation into flying suits which were electrically heated.
The temperature of an electric blanket needs to be finely controlled for the convenience of the user and for obvious safety reasons. The control is achieved by two components, a temperature sensor sewn into the blanket which works in conjunction with the second component, a bedside controllable thermostat.
The electric blanket of today is available, from the most basic single control version to the luxury models featuring twin individual thermostatic controls for each side of a double bed and boosted heat areas for the feet.
