Teddy Tidbits

The Great Teddy Debate

It has long been debated on how the teddy bear came about. We, Americans, like to believe teddies were named after President Theodore Roosevelt who refused to shoot a tied-up bear while on a hunt in Mississippi. A subsequent cartoon in the Washington Post inspired a New York businessman to create the first line of Teddy Bears.

bagpipe bear

On the other side of the ocean the Germans believe it was Margarete Steiff who created the first Teddy Bear. She exhibited her first stuffed bear at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903. It was an instant hit with American toy buyers. During the first year in production the Steiff Company made over 12,000 bears! Four years later production was at almost a million!

So, which do you believe?!

Early Teddy Bears were made of mohair till World War I diverted mohair to military uniforms. Then teddies were clothed in whatever could be found especially felt and plush.

After World War II the government became involved with making Teddy Bears safer for young children. Thus came washable fabrics, nontoxic dyes, and eyes and noses that wouldn't break off as easily.

Though the name Teddy Bear was commonly used since 1906 no company applied for a trademark with "Teddy" in it til 1987 when the North American Bear Company officially registered the name "Teddy".

Pooh Corner

Next time you are in England be sure to visit Pooh Corner. We were so surprised to find it nestled just southeast of London. Make sure to take your checkbook to the little Pooh store where you will find every Pooh item imaginable! From there put on your walking shoes and visit the sand pit, the hundred-acre wood, and play poohsticks on Poohsticks Bridge.