Pillow height science

History

Ancient pillows were often made from wood or ceramic, and surviving examples range from as low as 6 cm to over 15 cm in height (1). By the late Ming dynasty, writers were linking pillow firmness and height to neck health. In his 1591 manual: Eight Treatises on the Nurturing of Life, Gao Lian argued that firm, elevated pillows prevented the “slumping” that leads to stiffness and helped keep the neck straight into old age (2).

In Japan, some wooden makura (pillows) incorporated simple adjustment mechanisms — slotted bars, pins, or stacked components — allowing sleepers to fine‑tune height to within half an inch (3). Today in Japan, rolled towels are commonly used under the pillow to personalise loft (4).