ORIGIN OF TEDDY AND IT’S POPULARITY!

In one of mine friend’s daughter birthday, I saw many people giffting her a teddy bear. And after some days on ‘Valentine’s Day’,again many boys were giffting teddy bear with roses to girls. In both situation one thing was common, and that was ‘smile’, on faces of both giver and receiver. A question wondered in my mind ‘what is so special in teddy bears. and from where they originated and became symbol of love and smile in the whole world!’

“TEDDY BEAR” We all are familiar with this word and also feel very close to it. In our childhood and for many girls even at a young age, a teddy plays a crucial role. But have you ever wondered where this ‘teddy bear’ came from and how it became a part of our childhood?

Sometimes it played the role of a listener in sorrow, a partner in joy, a friend in loneliness, and many times a reason for smiles on faces. So let’s go and find out about its origin and journey.

ORIGIN OF TEDDY BEAR ( EARLY 1900s )

It’s creation is linked to two events : the American President ‘ Theodore Roosevelt (also known as ‘Teddy’) ’ and the German toy industry.

The story of Theodore Roosevelt :

In 1902 President Roosevelt went on a hunting trip near Mississippi, where he was invited by the state’s governor to participate in a bear hunt. After a long day with no success, Roosevelt’s guides cornered and tied a bear to a tree, suggesting the president shoot it. Roosevelt, however, refused to kill the bear, deeming it unsporting and inhumane. This incident became popular and a political cartoon depicting Roosevelt with a bear cub, became famous. And here ‘teddy bear’ gets its name after President Roosevelt’s nickname ‘Teddy’.

2. The creation of teddy bear :

Inspired by this story a German toy maker ‘Richard Steiff’ began designing a small stuffed bear, and in 1902 he made one.

Around the same time an American store owner ‘Morris Michtom’ created and displayed a similar bear in his store, calling it a ‘Teddy’s bear’. This toy was an instant success. Later he produced it on a mass scale.

DESIGN AND EVOLUTION

It’s shape and design evolved with time and still evolving. Earlier different type of fabrics like ‘wool’ was used , and now different kind of fabrics used . Even the shape , size and material for eyes and other parts are also changed over time and still changing.

Global Popularization

Both Steiff’s and Michtom’s bears became hugely popular. In 1903, Steiff’s bears were introduced at the Leipzig Toy Fair, where they received great acclaim, and teddy became a global phenomenon. Now it was not just for children rather it became a symbol of love, warmth, and smile.

IMPACT ON CULTURE

Teddy bears became a symbol of childhood love, comfort, smile, and security. And also a partner in loneliness.

They are also featured in many movies, dramas, series, cartoons, and TV. Serials created their own space and special attention like- ‘ Teddy of Mr. Bean’.

They are also used in many advertisements and promotions.

Starting from a small incident and a cartoon, the ‘teddy bear’ became a global symbol of joy, love, warmth, security, companionship, and nostalgia. And with all this, it created a rich history. It continued to be a cherished part of childhood and even adulthood sometimes and still continues its journey of making childhood memorable and spreading love, joy, and smiles all around.