Bears-Direct - Teddy Bear Stories - How Teddy Bears Began

How Teddy Bears Began

by Lisa Palazola

2002 saw the 100th anniversary of the teddy bear. For young and old alike, it has become a symbol of childhood memories, comforting old friends and cherished companions.

For an arctophile, the teddy bear can be a manufactured toy that struck their fancy, or a piece of sculpted art that an artist has put his or her heart and soul into. In any case, we put a value on our teddies that no one else can match.

With this in mind, the debate arises as to who was responsible for creating this wonderful icon of contemporary society. The Germans claim it was the Steiff family, while many believe that it was President Theodore Roosevelt's act of kindness that began the teddy bear craze.

Margarete Steiff was born in Germany and contracted polio as a child. She spent her days confined to a wheelchair and kept busy making stuffed toys from felt. She and her family eventually created the Steiff Company, probably the most famous of the German bear manufacturers. While visiting a local zoo, her nephew,

Richard, had drawn some sketches of several animals. He gave the drawings to his aunt, who in turn created a bear from one of the pictures. This bear was put on display at a toy fair held in Germany in 1903, where a toy distributor from the United States was said to have ordered 3,000 of them.

During the same time period, President Theodore Roosevelt had been investigating a border dispute between the states of Louisiana and Mississippi.

During a break, he set off on a hunting expedition, where he came up empty handed. His associates, not wanting the President to be disappointed, captured a bear cub for him and tied it to a tree.

The President, feeling that this would be unsportsman-like, had the cub released. When the

press heard of this act, political cartoonist Clifford Berryman took creative license and created a cartoon of the President standing next to the tied cub.

The cartoon, entitled "Drawing the Line in Mississippi", was published and printed in newspapers across the country in November of 1902. It was then said that a Russian immigrant named Morris Michton, who owned a small novelty shop in New York, asked his wife to make a stuffed bear to commemorate the cartoon.

The bear was created and named "Teddy" and was displayed in the shop window next to the cartoon. It was sold immediately and drew the attention of others who wanted a "Teddy" bear. With interest in the bears growing, the Michton's joined with some financial investors and eventually built The Ideal Novelty Toy Company.

So, even with these facts, we may never know the true origin of the teddy bear. We've come to love these cuddly companions, best buddies, and forever friends who listened when we needed someone to talk to.

They have sailed on the great Titanic, gone into space, travelled the world, and lived in the White House. Although someone does deserve credit and should be thanked for bringing smile to our faces and tugging on our heartstrings, does it really matter?

Happy anniversary Teddy bear!

At right can be seen an example of what the modern teddy bear has evolved into ...
this is "Langley" one of Lisa's recent creations

Lisa's Linden Tree Teddies can be seen at:
www.lindentreeteddies.com