The World Of TEDDY Bears Golubchenko Alina 5th B grade, Lyceum #1

Today we can hardly imagine a world without this best listener and loyal friend, the teddy bear. Where did he come from? Why is it called Teddy? Why not Harry or Willie or Billy?

How Teddy Bear got its name The story goes back to 1902, when Theodore Roosevelt was President of the United States. The President was called Theodore by his friends and family, but the press and the people fondly called him Teddy. He did not like the name, but accepted it. It made him seen more informal to the people he served.

In November 1902 President Roosevelt, visiting Mississippi, decided to go out hunting for the day. After several hours, he still had not killed anything. Then one of his helpers discovered a lost bear cub (потерявшийся медвежонок) walking through the woods. Catching it, he tied it to a tree. But Roosevelt couldn’t shoot the poor cub, and ordered it to be set free.

The following day newspapers were filled with cartoons depicting him with a bear. The story became fable (легенда).

The first Teddy Bear The cartoon was seen by Mr and Mrs Michtom, who owned a candy store in New York. Using one of the cartoons as a guide they quickly made a little toy bear cub. They put it in their shop window with a copy of the cartoon, and a handwritten notice saying “Teddy’s Bear”. Morris Michtom

The bear was such a hit with the public that the Michtoms designed and produced a bear to be presented to the White House, accompanying a request to use the President’s name for their stuffed bears. Roosevelt gladly gave his permission. Roosevelt adopted the bear cub as him mascot (талисман) for a successful re-election campaign (кампания переизбрания).

The Bears sold like wildfire, and within a year, the Michtoms close their candy store, and founded the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company - still one of the biggest toy firms in the world. Teddy Bear Ideal Novelty and Toy Company America About 1910 Museum no. Misc.317-1985

America or Germany? For years, the claim to have made the first Teddy Bear has been disputed between America and Germany - and in some ways, both countries made the first Teddy! The story began in Germany, in late October 1902. Richard Steiff, a toy designer was working for his aunt, Margaret Steiff, who had founded the toy firm in 1880. Richard often visited the Stuttgart Zoo to sketch animals. In 1902, the same year the Michtoms made “Teddy’s Bear”, the Steiff firm made a prototype of a toy bear based on Richard’s designs.

Richard Steiff Margarete Steiff

Within a few years of invention, Teddy Bear-mania had swept the world Within a few years of invention, Teddy Bear-mania had swept the world. In America, society ladies carried their teddies everywhere, and children had their pictures taken with their favourite toys.

From the mid-1970s more and more adults began collecting Teddy Bears From the mid-1970s more and more adults began collecting Teddy Bears. At first, they were happy with the modern designs, but as the illustrious history of the Teddy Bear became clear, some people began to look for older bears with traditional designs. As manufacturers realized the interest in old bears, they began to aim some of their new products at collectors, rather than children.

Whatever its origin, the Teddy Bear has become popular all over the world. It is courageous and wise, huggable and peaceful, and always a true listener in times of trouble.

Did you know ? In 2002 the teddy celebrated the 100th anniversary of its invention. Teddy bears are the world’s third most collectable thing, after stamps and coins. The highest price given for an antique Steiff teddy bear is $ 250.000!

Over the years, the cuddly toy has taken many shapes and varieties, but it remains a teddy bear, named after a president who wouldn’t kill a bear cub on a hunting trip.