teddybear

A teddy bear is a stuffed toy in the form of a bear. Developed initially in the early years of the 20th century, teddy bears are among the most popular children's toys, and are named after Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, a former President of the United States.

The history of the teddy bear can be traced back to two separate commercial ventures, both inspired by an incident involving Theodore Roosevelt. In 1902, Roosevelt was on a bear hunting trip in Mississippi. After a long and unsuccessful hunt, his attendants captured a black bear, tied it to a tree, and invited the President to shoot it. Roosevelt refused, stating that it would be unsportsmanlike. This incident was reported in newspapers and, in a political cartoon by Clifford Berryman, depicted Roosevelt with a small bear.

Meanwhile, Morris Michtom, a Brooklyn candy store owner, saw the cartoon and was inspired to create a stuffed bear cub. He placed it in his shop window with a sign that read "Teddy's bear," hoping to get permission from Roosevelt to use his name. Roosevelt's secretary responded positively, and the Michtoms' toy business, Ideal Toy Company, was born.

Separately, in Germany, Richard Steiff, nephew of Margarete Steiff, designed a stuffed bear in 1902. This bear, initially intended as a cushion, was later produced as a toy. The Steiff version was more realistic than the Michtom bear, featuring jointed limbs. Both the American and German bears quickly gained popularity, laying the foundation for the enduring appeal of the teddy bear.