PILLOW Pageant, A.I.R. Gallery – Pinus Strobus Pillow

artist:  Barbara Siegel

filmmaker:  Augusta Palmer

1927 Sleeping Pillow, P.J. O’Leary  U.S. patent no. 1,617,822

Pinus Strobus Pillow is based on a patent filed in 1927 by Edward M. Murphy for a sleep-inducing pillow “with an aromatic pocket to be sewn on the surface thereof.”  The particular concept and design of the pillow was inspired by the work of horticulturist Sidney Waxman (1923-2005), who dedicated a lifetime to propagating at least 40 varieties of beautiful and aromatic dwarf conifers.  The scent of pine oil embedded in green pine cone pockets on the surface of the pillow is meant to induce sweet dreams.