Teddy Bears

Ty Slumbers - Bear

Despite the numerous electronic, virtual and computerised toys that go bleep, whistle and ping in the modern kid's toybox, the good old teddy bear remains a favourite. It's also popular with adults who buy them for themselves or others as gifts, sometimes collectible brands such as Steiff, Teddy-Hermann Originals or Ganz.

History

Cuddly stuffed toys have been around for a very long time, however the teddy bear as we know it today is around 100 years old and originates from the end of the 19th century. One of the early innovators was the now famous Steiff company, which had a stand at the Leipzig toy fair of 1897 and "roly-poly" bears in their catalogue. Two years later Margarete Steiff patented some 23 soft toy designs which included bears.

Roosevelt

The first known use of the name Teddy Bear occured in 1902. President Theodore ("Teddy") Roosevelt had travelled to Mississippi and whilst there went out bear hunting. The party had little luck so eventually someone captured a baby bear and brought it out, offering it to Roosevelt to shoot. Roosevelt understandably declined.

The incident was captured in a cartoon for the Washington Post that was captioned "Drawing the line in Mississippi" (a reference to the border dispute Roosevelt was trying to settle). Following this Morris Michtom of Brooklyn, New York cannily created a cute stuffed bear which he called "Teddy's Bear". Public demand for this cuddly toy was so strong that it led to the formation of the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company.

Steiff

By coincidence a very similar toy was being created in the same year in Germany. The Steiff company released their first bear cub based design in 1902 and formally launched the bear - Baer 55PB - at the 1903 Leipzig Toy Fair.

Although Teddy's Bear and Baer 55PB were similar in concept there were significant differences, with the Steiff bear being more realistic in appearance.

With stuffed bears now being mass produced on both sides of the Atlantic the stage was set for the teddy bear boom of the early 20th century.

The name "Teddy Bear" became generally recognised with its use in the 1906 issue of Playthings magazine. More and more manufacturers joined in production with bears available in all shapes, sizes and poses. The Gund company started making bears in 1906 whilst in England the production of teddy bears by J.K.Farnell led eventually to the invention of Winnie the Pooh.

Today it's hard to think of a world before the teddy bear. Hand sewn or factory produced, economy or luxury, giant or miniature - you can buy bears for all tastes. There's a Teddy Bear Museum and even a chain of stores where you can design and build your own personalized bear.

Yet despite the millions of brand new teddy bears sold each year some of the most-loved are old and ragged and often missing one eye.

External Links:
National Teddy Bear Day

Galapemy / Toys / Teddy Bears /
Teddy Bears Ty Slumbers - Bear Despite the numerous electronic, virtual and computerised toys that go bleep, whistle and ping in the modern kid's toybox, the good old teddy bear remains a favourite. It's also popular with adults who buy them for themselves or others as gifts, sometimes collectible brands such as Steiff, Teddy-Hermann Originals or Ganz. History Cuddly stuffed toys have been around for a very long time, however the teddy bear as we know it today is around 100 years old and originates from the end of the 19th century. One of the early innovators was the now famous Steiff company, which had a stand at the Leipzig toy fair of 1897 and "roly-poly" bears in their catalogue. Two years later Margarete Steiff patented some 23 soft toy designs which included bears. Roosevelt The first known use of the name Teddy Bear occured in 1902. President Theodore ("Teddy") Roosevelt had travelled to Mississippi and whilst there went out bear hunting. The party had little luck so eventually someone captured a baby bear and brought it out, offering it to Roosevelt to shoot. Roosevelt understandably declined. The incident was captured in a cartoon for the Washington Post that was captioned "Drawing the line in Mississippi" (a reference to the border dispute Roosevelt was trying to settle). Following this Morris Michtom of Brooklyn, New York cannily created a cute stuffed bear which he called "Teddy's Bear". Public demand for this cuddly toy was so strong that it led to the formation of the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company. Steiff By coincidence a very similar toy was being created in the same year in Germany. The Steiff company released their first bear cub based design in 1902 and formally launched the bear - Baer 55PB - at the 1903 Leipzig Toy Fair. Although Teddy's Bear and Baer 55PB were similar in concept there were significant differences, with the Steiff bear being more realistic in appearance. With stuffed bears now being mass produced on both sides of the Atlantic the stage was set for the teddy bear boom of the early 20th century. The name "Teddy Bear" became generally recognised with its use in the 1906 issue of Playthings magazine. More and more manufacturers joined in production with bears available in all shapes, sizes and poses. The Gund company started making bears in 1906 whilst in England the production of teddy bears by J.K.Farnell led eventually to the invention of Winnie the Pooh. Today it's hard to think of a world before the teddy bear. Hand sewn or factory produced, economy or luxury, giant or miniature - you can buy bears for all tastes. There's a Teddy Bear Museum and even a chain of stores where you can design and build your own personalized bear. Yet despite the millions of brand new teddy bears sold each year some of the most-loved are old and ragged and often missing one eye. External Links: National Teddy Bear Day	Galapemy Store Games Puzzles Toys Pixel Chix Rockem Sockem Teddy Bears
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