Sleeping & Dreaming

Dead Tired

This online taster provides just a glimpse of what you can see in Wellcome Collection's 'Sleeping & Dreaming' gallery of 300 objects across five major themes. Treat your mind to a visit soon.

For a taste of what you would see in the 'Dead Tired' section of 'Sleeping & Dreaming', take a look at key exhibits above.

Is a life without sleep possible? Sleeplessness doesn't just result in tiredness; in extreme cases it can even be fatal. Preventing someone from going to sleep is a method of torture that is still used today. Nonetheless, volunteers taking part in experiments and attempts to break records have on occasion succeeded in staying awake for longer than a week.

Among the consequences of fatigue are impaired concentration, memory lapses, irritability and general malaise. Although intensive research has been carried out into its symptoms and effects, insufficient sleep is still the cause of numerous catastrophes and fatal accidents. We seem to find it increasingly difficult to judge our need for sleep correctly. Technology is used to try to minimise the risk posed by drivers who are inattentive or who nod off behind the wheel.