The History of Teddy Bears
Teddy Bears all started because President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear, which after all got him the nickname “Teddy.” Yes, it’s correct there was toys and games that had bears branded on them, however they did not actually have stuffed stuffed bears before 1902. There are a few different stories to really know what actually happened, however it seems like Theodore Roosevelt went out hunting and ended up shooting nothing. The men he was with wanted him to take something back due to his troubles and located a small bear cub and told him to shoot it. I don’t fully understand if he didn’t want to shoot it since it had no mother, was injured, and tied to a tree or perhaps just for it’s size. When he refused to shoot the bear they all joked about it, one man even drew a cartoon of “Teddy” and the bear cub.
The interest in Teddy Bears would become extremely popular in society. A small shopkeeper, Morris Mitchom, recognized the possible income and displayed them in his store window. Morris sent the president one of the bears his wife made and asked the president if he could name them “Teddy’s Bears.” The bears were unlike any toy bears that had been made; Teddy Bear was cute and didn’t frighten away children. Once accepted, he started designing the Teddies in a new shop to be known as, “Ideal Toy Company”. It isn’t known who actually come up with the very first Stuffed Bear, however we really do know that it was Morris that asked permission.
Clear over in Germany was another company making Teddies. “Steiff Company” was creating bears that actually appeared like the real thing. The proprietor, Margarete Steiff enjoyed a nephew that would sketch pictures of bears at the Stuttgart Zoo and show them off to her, this inspired her to create her own. Her creations wouldn’t be discovered by Americans until 1903 when they appeared at a toys and games fair; which had them ordering over 3000 bears.
Teddies create a comeback
An individual can see why Teddy Bears became so famous, if it wasn’t for the cute expressions and cuddliness I do think they would’ve gone extinct. Today, you would possibly see Teddy Bears in a bedroom, a store window, in commercials, cartoons as well as in books. Teddies are everywhere and it’s all because of one man refusing to shoot an innocent bear cub.
You thought the 80s were bad, you hated the pants, plastic bracelets and enormous hair nevertheless you did love those Teddies. Previously it was sad when they all seem to disappear out of your stores and no one could find them anymore. Well, guess what? The old Stuffed Bears have made a comeback and are also looking better than they did before. You’ve got Care Bears, Gummie Bears, Care Bear Cousins, Paddington Bear, and Teddy Ruxpin.
To the ones who would possibly not remember, Gummie Bears were the Teddies that have been always aiming to do some good. There are seven main characters: Grammi, Cubbi, Sunni, Zummi, Tummi and also Gruffi. The cartoon was created by Disney and first aired in 1985, but would end in 1990. It became an extremely popular cartoon in the 80s and had a little below 100 episodes overall, the Gummies are slowly getting into in stores.
Care Bears were a favourite of mine; these little Stuffed Bears were always signing up for some sort of trouble. Every single one of the Teddies had their own special symbol upon their tummy and had some type of special ability. They would always have to come together and perform the “CareBear Stare” in order to get everything to return to normal and save Care-a-Lot. The Care Bear Cousins soon came out when the Care Bears were released; at first the Cousins didn’t have any symbols. The bears actually appeared on playing cards before they aired network television in 1985, the show lasted only 3 years. In 1996 Bedtime, Tenderheart and Cheer Bear hit the shelves again nonetheless it wouldn’t be until 2000s the line of Care Bears would get a resurected life.
Even Teddy Ruxpin came back. The fact is he’s been brought back to life four separate times. Released in 1985, again by Playskool; Yes! Entertainment bought the rights in 1998 and he was out again. This was not until 2005, when Backpack Toys re-introduced him worldwide incorporating state-of-the-art technology. This might be the time he would finally come out to stay and he hasn’t died since.
You will find there is a trend occurring lately and old Teddies are coming back from near extinction. I just hope they’re here to stay. Do you have any favourite old Teddies?
Gund has been active in the Stuffed Bear making business for over 100 years now; it was one of the first companies to ever produce a Stuffed Bear in the United States. Due to the fact that Adolph Gund needed to have the very best of everything in everyday life, he ensured his Teddy Bears did too. His bears had to be manufactured with top quality material, which is why these were manufactured with mohair fur. He didn’t just stop there though; the workers creating these lovely bears needed to be the ideal craftsmen from the area. The golden ticket for the Gund Bears has always been their trademark of under-stuffing the bear; this created a softer Stuffed Bear.
The company started creating Teddy Bears in Norwalk, Ct. Adolph never did have family which is probably why he sought out someone before he passed away to sell his company to.
Adolph Gund right before his passing he sold his business to Jacob Swedlin but under one restriction, the corporation always needed to be called, “Gund.” Jacob would even be the person that introduced everyone to the licensing of cartoon characters comparable to Mickey Mouse or Snoopy. Jacob would pass the firm to his daughter Rita and her husband Herbert Raiffe; they each knew to not ever alter the company name.
The corporation procedes to thrive under Herbert and Rita. In 1977 their son Bruce Raiffe would join the company. The corporation continues to grow today, always guaranteeing to maintain its original name when it goes from one individual to another. Although the company thrives having its latest Teddy Bears, they’ve never forgotten the guy that got them started and have always continued to use safety together with the toys and good quality to make all their toys and games items just as he did.
Comforting Teddy Bears for Newborns
With regards to bringing home an infant, very few expects it be as hard as it often may well be. Inside the hospital he slept just like an angel, but once at home he just wouldn’t stop screaming. He refused everything else you gave him, even a pacifier came out immediately after going in and as for anything else…it just didn’t work. Finding the right comfort to soothe your newborn may well be very frustrating sometimes, however there are particular Teddies that could help.
When your baby can not seem to sleep, I suggest the Womb Sounds Mommy Bear. Inside your tummy all the baby heard was your heartbeat and this time suddenly he hears everything around him. This could easily frighten some babies, and some never seem fazed by it. The Womb Sounds Mommy Bear actually mimics the sound of your heart beating. Place the bear by the crib near your child and he’ll soon fall asleep.
Blanket Teddies are small fleece blankets which have a Stuffed Bear attached from the arms up. The bottom of the blanket is made of satin, which renders it soft just soft enough for baby to chew on.
Keel Toys Nursery Bear with shirt that’s embroidered, “baby boy” or “baby girl”; is a soft and fluffy yellow Stuffed Bear. His feet read “Hug Me” and it appears that his arms are stretched out to you.
Wabbanub pacifiers have little Teddies sewed onto the pacifier backing. Now, those pacifiers shouldn’t be flying across the room when mom walks away. Each pacifier features a different type of Teddy Bear to choose from.
Whatever toys and games product suits your little one will be the one you need to get, after all you wish your baby to get as much sleep as they possibly can, so why not get your newborn a Stuffed Bear to comfort him.
Over the years the collection of Teddy Bears will grow and become life-long keepsakes.