Few toys hold such a universal grip on affection as the teddy bear. Cuddly companions for generations, they represent comfort, security, and the innocence of childhood. Yet, this global icon wasn’t the product of careful market research or a deliberate design process. Instead, the teddy bear stumbled into existence through a peculiar blend of politics, sportsmanship (or lack thereof), a cartoonist’s sharp eye, and the timely inspiration of two independent toymakers on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Its history is less a planned journey and more a happy accident.
The Presidential Hunt and the Cartoon that Started It All
Our story begins not in a toy workshop, but deep in the Mississippi woods in November 1902. President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, an avid hunter and outdoorsman, was on a bear hunting trip. The expedition, however, wasn’t going particularly well for the President; finding a bear proved elusive. Eager to please their distinguished guest, some of Roosevelt’s attendants cornered, clubbed, and tied up an American black bear cub. They then summoned the President, suggesting he shoot the captured animal.
Roosevelt, however, was appalled. Viewing the act as utterly unsportsmanlike, he refused to shoot the tethered, injured cub. While he declined to take the shot himself (reports differ on whether he ordered the bear be put down mercifully to end its suffering or if it was released), the incident quickly became news. Political cartoonist Clifford Berryman, working for The Washington Post, seized upon the story. On November 16, 1902, he published a cartoon depicting Roosevelt turning his back, refusing to shoot the small, frightened bear cub. Berryman initially exaggerated the cub’s size and ferocity but later redrew it, and subsequent cartoons featured an ever smaller, cuter, more appealing representation of the bear.
Berryman’s cartoon, titled “Drawing the Line in Mississippi,” was an instant hit. It referenced not only the hunting incident but also hinted at political boundary disputes ongoing at the time. But it was the image of the President showing compassion towards a small bear that truly captured the public’s imagination.
An Idea Sparks in Brooklyn
Thousands of miles away, in Brooklyn, New York, a candy store owner named Morris Michtom saw Berryman’s cartoon. Michtom and his wife, Rose, also made stuffed animals on the side to supplement their income. Inspired by the drawing and the accompanying story of the President’s compassionate act, Michtom had an idea. He and Rose created a stuffed bear cub, fashioned from brown plush fabric with button eyes. It was designed to be soft and cuddly, capturing the vulnerable essence of the bear in the cartoon.
Michtom placed the handcrafted bear in his shop window alongside a copy of the Berryman cartoon. But he didn’t just put it up for sale; he added a handwritten sign: “Teddy’s Bear”. This was a bold move, directly linking his creation to the popular President. The little bear proved incredibly popular, attracting immediate customer interest. Recognizing the potential, Michtom knew he had something special, but he also understood the importance of propriety, especially when using the President’s name.
He decided to write directly to President Roosevelt, enclosing the bear, and asking for permission to use the name “Teddy’s Bear” for his new toy. Roosevelt, reportedly amused by the request and perhaps recognizing the harmless nature of the toy, gave his consent. He supposedly replied that while he didn’t think his name would add much value to the stuffed bear business, Michtom was welcome to use it. That permission sealed the deal. The name stuck, forever linking the toy to the 26th President of the United States.
The name “Teddy Bear” directly originates from President Theodore Roosevelt’s nickname, “Teddy.” It was coined after he refused to shoot a bear cub during a 1902 hunting trip, an event popularized by a political cartoon. Toymaker Morris Michtom requested and received the President’s permission to use the name for his stuffed bear creation.
Demand for “Teddy’s Bear” skyrocketed. Michtom quickly realized he couldn’t keep up with orders just by making bears in the back of his candy store. In 1907, he founded the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company, which would grow into one of the largest toy companies in America, mass-producing the bears that were capturing hearts across the nation.
Meanwhile, Across the Atlantic…
Almost concurrently, completely unaware of the events unfolding in America, another stuffed bear was taking shape in Giengen an der Brenz, Germany. Margarete Steiff, a remarkable woman who had overcome polio-induced paralysis to become a skilled seamstress and entrepreneur, had founded her own felt clothing and toy company in 1880. Her company was already known for high-quality animal toys.
In 1902, Margarete’s nephew, Richard Steiff, who had studied art in Stuttgart and frequently visited the local zoo to sketch animals, joined the company. He envisioned creating a stuffed bear that was more realistic and dynamic than the stiff, static figures common at the time. Inspired by performing bears he’d seen at circuses and the bears at the zoo, he designed a bear made from mohair plush with jointed arms and legs, allowing it to be posed. This innovative design used a system of strings and, later, metal rods to create movable limbs and a swiveling head.
Richard presented his prototype, known internally as “55 PB” (55 cm tall, P = Plüsch/Plush, B = Beweglich/Movable), at the Leipzig Toy Fair in March 1903. Initially, it didn’t attract much attention. German buyers found it perhaps too strange or expensive compared to traditional dolls and toys. However, fate intervened in the form of Hermann Berg, a buyer for a New York toy wholesaler. He saw the potential in the jointed bear and placed a large order for 3,000 units on the spot.
A Tale of Two Bears
It’s fascinating that two distinct versions of the stuffed bear emerged almost simultaneously in different parts of the world, driven by different inspirations. Michtom’s bear was born directly from a specific news event and a cartoon, emphasizing cuddliness and a connection to a popular figure. Steiff’s bear was driven by an artistic desire for realism and movement, stemming from observation and innovation in toy mechanics. Yet, both tapped into a latent desire for a comforting, bear-like companion.
The Steiff bears arrived in the United States just as the “Teddy’s Bear” craze ignited by Michtom was gaining momentum. While initially distinct, the two concepts began to influence each other. The American market, already primed by the Roosevelt story, readily embraced the high-quality, jointed Steiff bears. Over time, the term “Teddy Bear” became a generic descriptor for almost all stuffed toy bears, regardless of their specific origin or manufacturer. Steiff even adopted the name, recognizing its market power, although they always distinguished their bears with their trademark “Button in Ear” (Knopf im Ohr), introduced in 1904 to ward off imitators.
The Bear Evolves
The early teddy bears, both American and German, looked quite different from the ones most common today. They often had longer snouts, beady eyes (glass or boot buttons), and more pronounced humps on their backs, resembling actual bear cubs more closely. Materials like mohair and wood wool stuffing (excelsior) were standard.
Over the decades, the teddy bear underwent a significant transformation, driven by changing tastes, safety concerns, and manufacturing innovations:
- Appearance: Features softened. Snouts became shorter, foreheads higher, eyes larger and more expressive, giving the bear a cuter, more baby-like, and less realistic appearance. This shift appealed more directly to younger children.
- Materials: Mohair gave way to synthetic plushes, which were often softer, easier to clean, and less expensive to produce. Stuffing evolved from excelsior to softer cotton batting, kapok, and eventually synthetic fibers like polyester fill.
- Safety: Glass or button eyes were replaced with plastic safety eyes securely locked in place to prevent choking hazards for young children. Joints also evolved, with plastic components sometimes replacing metal rods or string jointing.
- Features: Innovations like built-in growlers (sound boxes that made a noise when the bear was tipped), music boxes, and different colours and styles emerged, diversifying the teddy bear market.
Despite these changes, the core appeal remained: a soft, huggable companion.
An Enduring Legacy
Why did this accidentally-born toy become such an enduring cultural phenomenon? Perhaps it was the confluence of a popular president, a heartwarming story, and the universal appeal of a comforting object. The teddy bear arrived at a time of social change, offering a symbol of stability and affection. It wasn’t just a toy; it became a confidante, a keeper of secrets, and a source of solace during difficult times.
From Winnie-the-Pooh to Paddington Bear, literary characters further cemented the teddy bear’s place in popular culture. Collectors cherish vintage bears, valuing their history and craftsmanship. Hospitals and emergency services often give teddy bears to distressed children. They remain one of the most popular gifts for newborns, birthdays, and Valentine’s Day.
The story of the teddy bear is a charming reminder that sometimes the most beloved and lasting creations arise not from grand designs, but from unexpected moments – a hunter’s refusal, a cartoonist’s sketch, and the timely ingenuity of toymakers who captured lightning in a bottle, or rather, plush in a bear. It’s a testament to how a simple object, born from a confluence of unrelated events, can become a global symbol of comfort and love, passed down through generations.
