NEW YORK, NY -- Jul 15, 2002 -- It's been a treasured friend for children the world over, inspiring music, stories, cartoons and characters ranging from Winnie the Pooh(TM) to Paddington Bear. Of course we're talking about the teddy bear, who just happens to be celebrating his 100th anniversary this year.
Over the past century, the teddy bear has played a significant roll in the lives of children and adults, serving as an international symbol of comfort, care, entertainment and adventure. The evolution of a teddy bear's personality has been key in the enduring popularity of this furry friend. "Almost anyone can recall a time when the teddy bear has impacted or touched their life," says Maxine Clark, Chief Executive Bear and founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop(R), a national, interactive retailer where guests make and customize their own teddy bears. "What we've seen from the thousands of people who have visited our stores is that everybody walks away with a different bear, and that bear is a reflection of themselves and their interests, or their hopes or dreams. That's why the teddy bear's symbolic message is passed along generation to generation."
In honor of this celebrity, take a closer look at the teddy's path to success and international fame.
THE BIRTH OF TEDDY
The first teddy bear was inspired by a hunting excursion made by President Theodore Roosevelt.
In November of 1902, President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was on a hunting excursion in Mississippi. After several hours, he still hadn't bagged anything, when one of his aides discovered a lost bear cub wandering through the woods. Catching it, he tied it to a tree, and brought the President to his "trophy" for the kill. Roosevelt, a conservationist at heart, refused to shoot the cornered bear.
This story of kindness quickly spread, and political cartoonist Clifford Berryman drew a cartoon showing the President's refusal to shoot a defenseless bear. This cartoon, titled "Drawing The Line In Mississippi," ran in a newspaper in Washington.
Candy store owners Rose and Morris Michtom were so inspired by the story of President Roosevelt's kindness, that they started making bears -- including one that resembled the cub in Berryman's cartoon. As the legend goes, the Michtoms then sent the bear to President Roosevelt, seeking permission to name the bear "Teddy."
The President pawsonally replied:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Michtom,
I warmly thank you for your letter and the fine stuffed bear you made. I can hardly wait to show my children. However, I don't think my name is likely to be worth much in the toy bear business, but you are welcome to use it. I wish you great luck with your toy bear business.
Sincerely,
Theodore Roosevelt
In time, teddy bears evolved from your regular stuffed animal to musical bears, whistling bears, bears characterizing celebrities and popular figures, and more.
TEDDY BEAR TRIVIA
Roosevelt would never have predicted that the teddy bear would become so pawpular, becoming a part of every day life through storybooks, stuffed animals, cartoons, novelties, movies and more. And he couldn't have predicted that the kindness he showed in 1902 would come to represent the symbolism that lives on with teddy bears -- now 100 years later. teddy bears have evolved in many ways over time -- fur, shape, size, muzzles and noses. Here are some more fun facts:
- Did you know teddy bears' noses were made of sealing wax when they were first introduced? Today, many noses are made of plastic or thread.
- Between 1907 and 1911, over 400 books with "teddy" or "teddy bear" in the title were registered.
- Teddy bears with glass eyes were first introduced in 1921. Before then, black shoe buttons were used.
- From the beginning, wardrobes and accessories for teddy bears were very popular.
Today, a growing trend in teddy bear popularity is personalizing your bear and interacting with the teddy bear making process. Companies like Build-A-Bear Workshop have breathed new life into the teddy bear industry, giving bear lovers the opportunity to create teddy bears that take on the personality of the bear owner. At Build-A-Bear Workshop you add a personal touch to your stuffed animal. First you select your favorite teddy bear or animal skin and, then you stuff, fluff and dress the bear or stuffed animal, choosing from hundreds of furry fashions and accessories, including the hottest trends, like formal wear, sportswear, career wear and camping gear, and even trendy accessories like cell phones, beach sandals or skooters. Special centennial teddy bears, including the Centennial Teddy Bear IV and mini centennial bears, are also popular this year, as across the world kids of all ages wish the teddy bear a beary happy birthday.
You can find an interactive Web carnival about the Teddy Bear Centennial and the history of the teddy bear online at www.buildabear.com.
