Teddys

Teddys, commonly called teddy bears, are soft, plush stuffed toys modeled after bears. They are among the most enduring and widely produced children's toys and have a substantial collector following. The name derives from Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, after a 1902 hunting trip in which Roosevelt declined to shoot a bear that had been captured for him. A political cartoon by Clifford K. Berryman helped popularize the episode and the term Teddy Bear entered popular usage. In the same period, American and German manufacturers began producing bears for sale; in the United States Morris Michtom and his wife Rose created an early version called "Teddy's Bear," while the Steiff company in Germany introduced a jointed mohair bear that helped define the form of the modern teddy bear.

Over the following decades, teddy bears evolved through improvements in fabrics and sewing techniques. Early bears typically used mohair fur, glass eyes, and movable joints, enabling poseable limbs. Later designs incorporated synthetic fibers, safety eyes, and machine stitching. Bears come in a wide range of sizes, from small pocket companions to large display pieces, and in many styles, from traditional and realistic to whimsical or character-based forms.

Teddys have become a staple of childhood and a popular collectible. They have applications beyond play, including use in education, therapy, advertising, and various aspects of popular culture. Modern teddy bears are produced under safety standards and licensing programs in many countries, reflecting ongoing changes in manufacturing, materials, and consumer expectations.