Teddy Bears Paradise

The Roosevelt Bear, also known as, The Teddy Bear

Who would have ever thought that those cute and cuddly little teddy bears would have been created and named after a man who was also the president of the United States Of America! The teddy bear has practically been a household name for many years now, especially for children. Children from all over the world go to sleep at night with some kind of stuffed animal in their arms and it’s usually a teddy bear. So how did this phenomenon happen? Read below for this unique story.

How The Teddy Bear Began

The story of the Roosevelt Bear originated from something that happened on a hunting trip that Present Roosevelt took in 1902. Governor Andrew Longino, from Mississippi, invited the President and others to a hunting competition.

Some of Roosevelt’s attendants cornered and tied a Black Bear to a willow tree, after winning the chase and capturing it. When President Teddy Roosevelt got to the site they suggested he shoot the bear. Present Roosevelt refused to do so, saying it was not sporting to shoot something that was already knocked out and tied up.

Well, as you know how news travels, word of his so called “affection” to bears spread and it wasn’t long before people wrote cartoons and drew pictures for the comic strips. Designer Morris Michtom saw one of the drawings of Roosevelt and the bear cub and decided this was a great idea for a new toy.

After getting permission from Roosevelt the first toy was called “Teddy’s Bear”, but soon it was just shortened to “Teddy Bear”. Since that time the teddy bear has become an icon in the stuffed animal arena.

The first teddy bears that were made looked a lot like real bears. Their snouts were more extended and their eyes beady. Today’s bears are all cute and cuddly, with big eyes and a cute button nose that say “take me home”. There are many brands of teddy bears available today, and two of the most commonly sold brands are Gund and Ty.

Here is a list of just some of the more popular teddy bear brands:

• Gund
• Ty
• Ruxpin
• Care Bears
• Winnie the Pooh
• and many, many more…..

There is also a trend to make your own teddy bear. This can be done out of recycled materials and furs from your home, or you can even go to the “Build A Bear Workshop”, which is a store that allows children to mix and match parts and clothing to make their very own personal teddy bear.

Today teddy bears also are sold by “theme”. For example you can purchase the wedding bear, fireman bear, or get well bear. It doesn’t seem to matter what the occasion is, there is a teddy bear to go along with it. Theme bears are favorites by some collectors!

The economy fluctuates up and down for many trends and fads, but the world of the teddy bear tends to change trends and shift a little more slowly. And even with swings in sales ,of new and innovative teddy bears, it’s obvious that after a century, teddy bears are here to stay! Do you have your very own Teddy Bear?

Image Credits: Sweet Flower Art, Wiki Commons, Gund, Vermont Teddy Bear Company