The History of the Teddy Bear

The teddy bear was named after the 26^th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. The story varies but it is said that in 1902 the president was asked to shoot a bear that had been tied to a tree. He is said to have called it "unsportsmanlike" and had the bear set free. On November sixteenth the Washington post ran an editorial cartoon of the event sensationalizing the event.

Rose and Morris Michtom decided to create 'Teddy's Bear' in the honor of the president. The cute bear cub toy was a hit and soon the Michtoms founded the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. At the same time Richard Steiff of Germany was producing a prototype for their stuffed bear. Although both bears were produced around the same time neither man knew about the other and the two original designs are quite different.

By 1906 the teddy bear was popular with everyone, including socialites, who found it popular to carry their bears around with them everywhere. Books and music were dedicated to the cuddly cub. Manufacturers around the world were producing bears of all colors, shapes, and sizes. American manufacturers suffered slightly because of the stiff competition of the German engineered bears. Toymakers who had been in business for years were no match for those that had been operating and perfecting their craft for decades.

Winnie the Pooh, the most famous stuffed bear, was actually manufactured in England by the J.K. Farnell & Co. He was a present to Christopher robin Milne for his first birthday in 1921. By 1926 his father, A.A. Milne would be publishing stories about the bear and Christopher robins many made-up adventures. Today the original Winnie, along with the rest of his friends, can be found on permanent display at the central children's room of the Donnel Branch of the New York Public Library in New York City.

It's amazing how such a simple child's toy can be transformed into such an iconic security blanket for so many generations before us. I know I had a teddy bear growing up and I'm sure my kids will too.