The teddy bear, or the story of the comforter's ancestor.
The origins of the teddy bear.
If September 9th is known as World Teddy Bear Day, it is also a tribute to President Theodore Roosevelt, who gave his name, or rather his first name, to the first teddy bear, hence the original title of this day, 'Teddy Bear Day'.
But what is the connection between the 26th president of the United States and this iconic toy? It all began in 1902, during a hunting trip where Roosevelt refused to kill a bear cub tied to a tree. He reportedly even ordered the animal to be released. Surprising for the time, this story was immortalized in the 'Washington Post' by cartoonist Clifford Berryman with this caricature:
After seeing this drawing, the owners of a toy and candy store in Brooklyn, New York, Rose and Morris Michtom, had the idea to manufacture and market, starting in 1903, an articulated plush bear that they called 'Teddy Bear' in honor of the President, and with the permission of the White House. The toy instantly became popular, and buoyed by their success, the Michtoms created the first teddy bear factory in the United States.
By coincidence, at the same time, in Germany, Margarete Steiff, a toy manufacturer, had begun producing plush animals as early as 1877. The story goes that her nephew convinced her to create teddy bears in 1902 after a visit to the Stuttgart zoo, arguing that this model would be as popular with boys as with girls. Be that as it may, she exhibited her first articulated plush bear, the famous PB55 Bear model, at the Leipzig Spring Toy Fair in 1903.
The success was enormous, with orders from all over the world, especially America. In 1907, the production of teddy bears exceeded one million. Today, nearly 120 years later, the Steiff company still manufactures teddy bears.
So, was the first teddy bear American or German? You decide.
And in France, when were French children able to play with a teddy bear?
It wasn't until 1921 that Mr. Pintel, a manufacturer of stuffed or mechanical toys, finally included a bear in his collection.
The evolution of the teddy bear
In any case, regardless of the country of manufacture, the first teddy bears bore no resemblance to those hugged by our children today. Often designed around a wooden skeleton, they were stuffed with wood shavings or straw. As for their eyes, they were most often made from boot buttons. And although articulated and mobile, they remained rigid.
It was not until after the Second World War, in 1947, that Suzanne Van Gelder created the 'Anima' brand in Paris, which was the first to specialize in the manufacture of soft plush toys. One could even say that she revolutionized the world of plush toys by creating patterns that allowed them to be cut into shapes that required no internal frame. Thanks to this method, our bear gained unparalleled aesthetics and comfort, becoming a true teddy bear.
For the record, Suzanne made her first prototypes in 1945 for her nephews, which vaguely reminds me of something... Oh, yes! Me. It just goes to show that years pass, and seamstress aunts always have the same inspiration ;)
But let's get back to our sheep... or rather our bears!
Since then, of course, these teddy bears have continued to evolve in both their shapes and materials, adapting better and better to children and to the changing currents of thought on education. Over the years, its morphology has changed; it has become rounder, while its size has decreased from 70 cm in height to an average of 30 cm, or even less for babies. The materials have also changed for more comfort, but especially so that they can be washed.
On the safety side, we owe thanks to Wendy Boston for her invention, in 1948, of plastic safety eyes, screwed into a rustproof and untearable nut.
The teddy bear today
Today, complying with CE standards for toys, they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. They are made from furry fabrics, cotton fabrics, or velvets, and are suitable for all ages.
But surprisingly, since 1902, and the first bears, and despite many other plush models that have been manufactured over the years by numerous creators, leading to the plethora of offerings we see in toy stores today, the traditional teddy bear remains one of the most appreciated.
Whether we call them Teddies, nounours, or even doudous, alternately confidants, comforting companions, or playmates, they are an integral part of childhood. And today it is impossible to imagine a child's room without the presence of a teddy bear, so deeply is its importance etched into our collective and personal history.
