Do you prefer sleeping on nails or balls?

How does the exhibit work?

Lie completely flat on the left bed. Press the button. This is how nails emerge. As long as you lie flat, this does not hurt. Then lie down on the ball bed. In this way, test what lies best.

What is the science behind it?

The balls seem to be the best choice. However, the nails are more comfortable!

This has everything to do with pressure. Your body touches the surface in certain places. The smaller the surface area of all those places together, the greater the pressure you feel. So: if you lie on, say, 10 nails, you feel a lot of pressure. But there are 2349 nails in this bed, as opposed to 147 balls. Therefore, your weight is spread out over a larger area. This way, the pressure is less and you sleep better. Zzzzzzz...

Pressure of skis

Skis have a large surface area. Your weight is distributed over the two skis. This keeps the pressure low and you won’t sink into the snow.

Pressure of syringes

Syringe needles have a very small surface area. Thanks to the great pressure they exert, they pierce your skin effortlessly.

Pressure of elephants

An African elephant can weigh up to 6000 kilograms! Yet they don’t sink into soft ground. This is because they spread their weight over the large surface of their four sturdy legs.