FANS:

More Fans »

MEMORIES:

More Memories »

Tasha remembers...
I loved my Teddy Bears. I had a lot of them. They were all over my bed and dresser. I ...  More »
Posted on 03/07/08

Manufacturer:

various

Do you collect Teddy Bears?  If you do, you’re known as an arctophile – a word that originates with the Greek words “arcto” (bear) and “philos” (lover) – and you’re not alone.  Millions around the world have fallen in love with the plush, cuddly Teddy Bear to varying degrees.  There are even museums devoted to our snuggly friend.

So, how come they’re called Teddy Bears?  As a good many people know, it was named after the 26^th President of the United States, but what’s the real story behind the bear?  The story begins over a century ago, when Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt went south to settle a dispute between Louisiana and Mississippi – something about a border.  The story made big news and the press was on the trail, right down to a hunting trip the Prez took with his friends.  At the end of the day, just about everyone had shot something, and some of Roosevelt’s friends treed an American Black Bear with hounds.  They invited Roosevelt to take a shot, to which he declined, declaring the act to be unsportsmanlike.  This moment didn’t go unnoticed, and the story was relayed to cartoonist Clifford Berryman who drew it up for the Washington Post, titling it “Drawing the Line in Mississippi.”  Of course, it wasn’t a big scary bear he drew, but a cute little miniaturized cub.  To Berryman’s surprise the cartoon was a hit and it was published nationwide.  Interest grew and soon the story was told that Roosevelt wouldn’t shoot an innocent cub.  Like the best of passed-along rumors, the true facts would remain hidden to those who did not seek it out.  However, it proved to be a boon for our friend Berryman, who drew up several new cartoons with “Teddy’s bear.”  Soon, the bear was popularized in children’s books and the Teddy Bear’s first steps into pop culture were made.

Morris Michton, Russian immigrant, entrepreneur and opportunity-seer, had his wife make up a stuffed bear to display in his storefront window after reading the cartoon.  It was to honor the President and his actions.  The bear was sweet, innocent, and best of all, “Teddy Bear” was incredibly popular.  Demand for the bear was so high that Michton enlisted the help of wholesalers, the Butler Brothers and founded the first Teddy bear manufacturer in the United States.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

Or was it?

The very same year that Morris Michton conceived of the Teddy bear, across the Atlantic Ocean there was a young man by the name of Richard Steiff who was working for his aunt making, you’ll never guess, stuffed toys.  He was a former art student who enjoyed days off by going to the zoo and sketching animals, especially the baby bears.  So, in 1902 came their prototype for a stuffed bear.  Though there has been debate as to who came up with what first, Steiff’s design is decidedly unlike the bear from the cartoon and transatlantic communication just wasn’t what it is today – the chances of Steiff knowing about the American Teddy bear were slim to none.  Plus, doesn’t the Michton story pack a punch with the whole Presidential connection?

It is noteworthy to say, however, that Steiff did come up with the right idea at the right time.  With the Teddy craze in overdrive, American buyers became aware of his version, snatching up his bears by the crateload.  The craze, as it could be related in more modern terms was something like the Cabbage Patch Kid insanity of the 1980s or the Tickle Me Elmo and Beanie Baby pandemonium of the 1990s.  Bears were coming out of manufacturer’s ears in every shape, color and manner of dress.  Some even came with roller skates!

As time went on, so did the Teddy bear, its popularity lasting through the highs and lows of the 20^th century.  World War I, the Roaring 20s, the Great Depression, World War II, the Space Age, Flower Power, the Disco Era, Punk Rock, Pop Rock, Hip Hop and virtual reality; yep, the Teddy bear has made it through all of that and more.  The ever-present Teddy bear remains to comfort us and make us smile when the clouds are dark and gloomy.  They’re there for the sunny days, too; the days when a 4-year old needs to have a tea in the garden and when a 10-year old cuts up his knees on the sidewalk.  The Teddy bear has a legion of fans big and small who recognize it as an icon of an era and a friend in a time of need. 

Today, Teddy bears come in all kinds of forms and varieties, made by an even wider variety of makers.  Whether you want a Vermont Teddy Bear, a Teddy Ruxpin or to create your own best friend at Build-A-Bear, bears can be found just about anywhere.  They’ve even inspired pop culture in other ways, giving us a lifetime of cartoon pals, such as Yogi Bear, Paddington Bear and A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, giving arctophiles reason to celebrate.