Fun Facts – History of the Teddy Bear
Who is Teddy? And where can you and I meet this most famous bear? Bears everywhere—even the reclusive panda—all pay homage to a bear named Teddy. The true story of the Teddy Bear is the stuff—or should we say “stuffed”—legends are made of.
The most common explanation for the term "teddy bear" dates to November 1902. President Theodore Roosevelt went west to settle a border dispute and joined a hunting trip, where his companions captured a bear that had attacked a dog. Roosevelt refused to shoot the bear, ordering it be put down humanely.
A political cartoonist illustrated the story but softened the scene by turning the bear into a frightened cub. The new narrative showed Roosevelt refusing to shoot a captured baby bear—and the public loved it. The story, along with these charming cartoons, quickly spread.
In Brooklyn, New York, shopkeeper Morris Michtom was inspired. His wife crafted a few soft bears, and they placed them in the window of their store.
The bears sold out in hours. Michtom wrote to Roosevelt asking to name the toys “Teddy’s Bears.” With Roosevelt’s blessing, Michtom partnered with wholesale supplier Butler Brothers—and soon, teddy bears were everywhere. From gift shops to flower baskets, these stuffed companions became a lasting part of American childhood and culture.
