MANUFATURE OF IRON AND BRASS BEDSTEADS (Extract)
by Edward Peyton
Birmingham and the Midland Hardware District (1866)
As besteads are articles for use, and except in the patterns of such parts as can be rendered ornamental the chief features in all must be similar, there have been few vagaries in their manufacture. The chief or only noticable one was in the bedstead which caused so much amusement in the 1851 Exhibition, so contrived, that by the removal of a pin the foot end fell to the ground and threw the occupant to the floor. This was effected by clockwork, which could be set to go off at any hour desired, like an alarum, and was intended to facilitate early rising. It was expected to be patronised extensively by hotel keepers and others who had a difficulty in getting their servants up in proper time. This anticipation, however, proved too sanguine.