Blanket

A blanket is a large piece of fabric or material that is typically used for warmth, comfort, or protection. It is commonly rectangular or square in shape and is designed to be placed over a person or used as a covering for a bed or couch. Blankets are often made from materials such as wool, cotton, fleece, or synthetic fibers.

Blankets serve various purposes, including providing insulation and retaining body heat to keep individuals warm. They can also be used for decorative purposes, adding color or texture to a room. Additionally, blankets can offer a sense of security and comfort, making them popular choices for snuggling up, relaxing, or sleeping.

The term arose from the generalization of a specific fabric called Blanket fabric, a heavily napped woolen weave pioneered by Thomas Blanket (Blanquette), a Flemish weaver who lived in Bristol, England in the 14th century.

Blankets were traditionally made of wool because of wool's warmth, breathability and natural fire-retardant properties. Nowadays, synthetic fibers are frequently used.

The oldest known blanket dates back approximately 10,000 years and was found in a cave in Russia. It was made from reindeer fur.

In Native American cultures, blankets have been traditionally used as important ceremonial gifts and symbols of honor and respect.

The famous Hudson's Bay Company, a Canadian retail business established in 1670, is known for its iconic striped wool blankets, often referred to as Hudson's Bay blankets or "point" blankets.

The first electric blanket was invented in 1912 by American physician Sidney I. Russell. This earliest form of an electric blanket was an ‘underblanket’ under the bed that covered and heated from below.

The phrase "security blanket" originated from the Peanuts comic strip, where the character Linus was often seen carrying his blanket for comfort.

Linus' security blanket made its debut in the Peanuts comic strip on June 1, 1954. In the strip, Linus is shown holding the blanket over his shoulder while sucking his thumb. Ridicule of the habit is not a major concern for him. The blanket has been a part of Linus's character ever since, and it has become one of the most iconic symbols in Peanuts. It is a symbol of Linus's comfort, security, and innocence. It is also a symbol of his vulnerability.

A fire blanket is made of fire-resistant material such as fiberglass and is used in smothering a fire. Firefighters often wear specialized variants of the fire blanket to protect themselves as well.

In Pennsylvania there is a law that says: "Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass. If the horses appear skittish, the motorist must take his car apart piece by piece, and hide it under the nearest bushes."

The world's largest polar fleece blanket is 98.80 m2 (1063.474 ft2) in size. It was created by Dreamtex in 2015 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the CBeebies television series In the Night Garden. The blanket is made of red fleece material, blue stitching and clear thread, and weighs a hefty 70 kg. It can easily cover a total of 56 standard children's beds. The blanket was unveiled at Alton Towers theme park in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2015, by Igglepiggle, one of the characters from In the Night Garden.

Igglepiggle, from hit CBeebies' series In the Night Garden, unveiled the world’s largest polar fleece blanket 

Quilts, which are blankets made by stitching together layers of fabric, have a rich history and cultural significance in many regions worldwide. They have been used for warmth, storytelling, and artistic expression.

In space exploration, specially designed space blankets or "Mylar" blankets are used to protect astronauts and equipment from extreme temperature variations.

The Snuggie, a type of blanket with sleeves, became popular in the United States in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The company that produced the Snuggie argued that it should be classified as a blanket in order to avoid paying the higher import taxes on garments. On February 10, 2017, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the Snuggie should be classified as a blanket, rather than a garment, based on its characteristics and intended use.