The name “Teddy Bear” comes from the former president Theodore Roosevelt, who was commonly called “Teddy” by others. That started in a bear hunting trip in Mississippi in 1902. Roosevelt was invited by Andrew Longio, the Mississippi governor at the time. A couple of the other men he was with had cornered, clubbed and tied a black bear to a tree and suggested that Roosevelt shoot it. Roosevelt refused. This became a cartoon seen in The Washington Post, although the smaller and cuter version did not come out until later.
When Morris Michtom saw the cartoon of Roosevelt, he was inspired to make a toy from it. The stuffed cub had the sign “Teddy’s Bear” over it, and the toy was so popular that Michtom was able to start up his own toy company.
“Roosevelt Bears” had become so popular that ladies carried them everywhere, and children could be seen being photographed with him. Theodore Roosevelt even used one as his mascot when he ran for president the second time.
At first, teddy bears were made to look like real bears. However, more modern teddy bears have larger eyes, larger foreheads, smaller noses, and baby-like features in order to enhance the cuteness of the toy. The first teddy bears were covered in tawny mohair fur, where modern day teddy bears are made out of a wider selection of materials such as: synthetic fur, velour, denim, cotton, satin, and canvas.
While these teddy bears were predominantly made for children, but many doll collectors enjoy them as well and scout out the rarer teddy bears.
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