The History of Teddy Bears

The first teddy bear, named for President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, appeared in 1902. While stuffed bears had been produced earlier, particularly in Germany, it was the American "teddy bear" that created a sensation in the toy industry.

Origin

As the story goes, Roosevelt was hunting in Mississippi and did not find anything to shoot. His companions caught a bear and tied it to a tree, but Roosevelt refused to shoot a captive animal.

Cartoon

Cartoonist Clifford Berryman recreated the bear hunting scene in the pages of "The Washington Post."

Teddy's Bear

After Berryman's cartoon appeared, toymakers Morris and Rose Michtom began selling "Teddy's Bear" in their Brooklyn toy shop.

Ideal Novelty and Toy Company

The teddy bear became an instant hit. The Michtoms co-founded the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company to mass produce their bears.

Teddy Bear Craze

The teddy bear craze that began in 1902 is comparable to the enthusiasm for Cabbage Patch Kids and Beanie Babies in the modern era.

Political Symbol

The popularity of the bear story and the new stuffed teddy bear prompted Roosevelt to use a bear as his signature symbol in the 1904 presidential election.

References

• The Teddy Bear Museum
• Teddy Bear and Friends: The History of the Teddy Bear