Inside of an air mattress

[u/ImKindaEssential]

[u/GhostyTheNomad]

What is the string for

[u/TyrKiyote → u/GhostyTheNomad]

to hold its shape when fully inflated, rather than balooning out where it shouldnt

[u/Rexven → u/TyrKiyote]

I hadn't really thought about that being an issue, that's pretty neat.

[u/weirdoldhobo1978 → u/Rexven]

It's known as drop stitch fabric and is also used to make inflatable kayaks and paddle boards.

And it was originally pioneered by Goodyear in the 1950s to make inflatable airplanes.

[u/Rubcionnnnn → u/weirdoldhobo1978]

Mustard has a really good video a out this plane. I wish they made them commercially, it looks like it could be a lot of fun at a reasonable price. 

[u/Ariane_16 → u/Rubcionnnnn]

They are too unstable to be considered safe. It happens the same with parachutes, they can be seen as "inflatable" wings, but sometimes in the wrong conditions they tangle and deform. No other solution for parachuting but it is more practical to use solid skins in airplanes, also they work as fuel tanks

[u/hannahatecats → u/Rexven]

I assumed (wrongly, TIL) that it was plastic channels inside like a pool float.

Hey, why can't we have clear inflatable mattresses like the furniture in the 90s?

[u/OrangeRadiohead → u/hannahatecats]

The example shown is from an ultralight air mattress used for camping. They pack down very small and are lightweight. The plastic you refer to whilst tough is extremely heavy and cumbersome.