According to Kovels (Feb 2013) the #TEDDYBEAR was born in 1902 when #Teddyroosevelt was hunting in Mississippi and refused to shoot a bear that had been rendered helpless by his attendants.
And the rest is #bearhistory:
The teddy bear is a soft toy in the form of a bear. Developed apparently simultaneously by toy makers Morris Michtom in the US (Michtom later found the #IDEALTOYCO) and Richard Steiff in Germany in the early years of the 20th century, and named after President Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the teddy bear became an iconic children’s toy, celebrated in story, song and film. Since the creation of the first teddy bears which sought to imitate the form of real bear cubs, “teddies” have greatly varied in form, style and material. They have become collector’s items, with older and rarer “teddies” appearing at public auctions. Teddy bears are among the most popular gifts for children and are often given to adults to signify love, congratulations or sympathy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_bear
The German #Steiff “teddies” seem to be the most famous. The Steiff company has been making plush animals since 1880.
The original teddy bears were made (on both sides of the Atlantic) with mohair fabric “fur” that was commonly used for upholstery, black leather shoe-button eyes, and excelsior packing as stuffing. In the 1920s, glass eyes were used, but both the glass and button eyes pulled off easily. In 1948, Wendy Boston patented a screw-in eye made of molded nylon. These were supplanted in the 1950s by plastic eyes mounted on stems and fastened securely to the inside of the fabric with grommets or washers. These safety eyes became standard by the 1960s. (Steiff bears can be identified by the trademark metal button stuck in their left ear). http://EzineArticles.com/3913107
In 1907, music history was made when music of the famous song, The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, was penned by American composer J.K. Bratton. The song was originally called The Teddy Bear Two Step and the lyrics we know and love today were not actually added until 1932 by prolific British songwriter Jimmy Kennedy. http://ezinearticles.com/?33-Top-Teddy-Bear-Facts-You-Probably-Never-Knew!&id=3913107
OK NOW’S THE TIME TO LOOK AT THE STORE CAUSE WE’RE GOING INTO HOW YOU MIGHT MAKE MONEY WITH A TEDDY THAT YOUR GRANNY PASSED-DOWN (ABOVE)
Antique 20″ Steiff Mohair Teddy Bear Early 1900’s With Expertise By SELLING ON LINE FOR $3,999
Original 1907 Charming Steiff (bing) Yellow 20″ Teddy Bear $5,500
Ted may be the screen’s most naughty plush companion, but he owes a certain debt to his cuddly, uh, forebears. (The highest-grossing R-rated film of the year, and the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy of all time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_(film)) Http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2012/29/15-famous-movie-teddy-bears
“You really don’t have to be young to find a friend in a teddy bear.” -Rachel Newman