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Teddy Bears and Their Origins

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There aren't too many toys that pass the test of time, and teddy bears are one of those toys. Their incredibly wide appeal has lasted generations, and most certainly will last many more. However, teddy bears haven't always been one of our most important toys. They were created in the twentieth century, after a somewhat shocking turn of events.


Teddy bears got their named from US President Theodire Roosevelt, as "Teddy" is the short familiar version of the name "Theodore". The President attended a hunting trip with several other men included the governor of Mississippi. On the expedition they conducted a bear hunting competition, and Roosevelt was one of the only ones who had not yet shot a bear. Some of Roosevelt's assistants, in an attempt to help him win the competition, themselves captured and restrained a black bear and called for Roosevelt to come and shoot the bear. But Roosevelt felt this was cheating and refused to shoot the bear. But during the capture of the bear it had been clubbed over the head and badly hurt, so Roosevelt ordered that the bear be put out of its misery.

The story of course became big news, and was reproduced in a political cartoon in the Washington Post. One person who saw the media coverage was a toy creator named Morris Michtom, who was inspired to create a new toy based on the bear in the incident. He created cute stuffed bears and placed them in his shop window, with a signing reading "Teddy's Bear", a smart way to capitalize on the publicity. The bears were an instant success, causing Michtom to make his business larger by starting the Ideal Novelty & Toy Co.. Around 1906, many copycat companies had begun producing similar items, and they became hugely popular and a cultural phenomena.

Over a century later, teddy bears are still the most widely cherished toy that exists, beloved by children and adults alike all around the globe. It might seem odd that such an unfortunate event started this mania for adorable stuffed animals for kids, but perhaps the joy that teddy bears have given to the world have made something good out of that unfortunate situation.

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Teddy Bears and Their Origins