You would like to give a plush toy as a gift, but are still hesitating about the model. In this case opt for a must-have, the Teddy Bear.

Origin of the teddy bear

The first teddy bears, named Teddy Bear, appeared in the United States, in 1903. At that time, US President Theodore Roosevelt, nicknamed “Teddy”, was a great fan of hunting. In November 1902, he was in Mississippi where some rabbit hunters offered to shoot a wounded bear cub tied to a tree, so that he could add another trophy to his hunting list.

Theodore Roosevelt, shocked by such a proposal, and judging this act contrary to the mores of the sport, refused to kill the animal and ordered its immediate release. This story spread and quickly went viral. The expression “Teddy’s Bear” was immediately used in caricatures, notably by the Washington Post cartoonist Clifford Berryman, who immortalised the touching and touching scene of the President sparing a bear cub in his edition of 16 November 1902.

Morris Michtom, who ran a shop selling confectionery, toys and rag dolls made by his wife, spotted the cartoon. In 1903 he markets a teddy bear that he calls Teddy, with the permission of the president. This teddy bear would go on to have a global success. The bear becomes a flagship stuffed animal for children, and is found among the stock of most toy shops. He became an indispensable, inseparable friend to children and inspired many writers. The best known literary character is undoubtedly Winnie the Pooh, created by Alexander Milne for his son in 1926.

Why every child should have a teddy bear