Down is a unique insulator only found in three families of animals, ducks, geese, and swans. The word “down” comes from the Old Norse word “dúnn”, which had the same meaning as its modern equivalent. In many of today' s garments, down fill and feathers are widely used and known for their exceptional insulating characteristics but have a lesser-known history that dates back hundreds of years.
During the Middle Ages, people often used to sleep on beds filled with hay, leaves, wool and animal skin, but the straws would make it hard and uncomfortable, consequently, the wealthier people found a solution. They started filling sacks with very soft goose or duck feathers, which turned out to be the better choice compared to the previous.
Today, down is one of the preferred filling materials on the market for high-end bedding and apparel products. Almost all down comes exclusively from the meat industry and is considered a by-product. After extensive washing and treatment, a noble, light, and soft insulator is obtained which has proven to be one of the best (if not the best) insulators on the market.
