As a young man with a degree in industrial arts, Coodle® Pillow Maker Bob Meade knew a lot about materials and working with his hands. The idea to create a cuddle-friendly pillow came to him when, appropriately, he was curled up with his girlfriend, Shirley, and his arm fell asleep.

Bob cut foam and bent plastic in the oven to create a tunnel-shaped pillow that kept his arm feeling comfy and Shirley close. The couple started selling the pillows as a side business that funded their wedding. Coodle took a backseat to busy lives with kids but now, years later, what helped bring Bob and Shirley close back in 1996 is bringing them together again as they share their spoon-able, cuddle-able pillow with other folks.