Did you know that the invention of the sofa bed, the most valuable and essential item in every college student’s apartment, is credited to an Italian American? To be fair, the idea of combining a bed with a sofa is much older, with some evidence of similar furniture appearing even in imperial Rome.

During the Victorian era, the sofa bed became popular in Europe as a practical solution for accommodating guests in smaller homes or apartments. These early versions were typically made of wood and featured a pull-out frame with a folding mattress. Forget about a good night of sleep though, as they were often uncomfortable and bulky.