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The term "Teddy" bear is named after Theodore Roosevelt.
At a young age Margarete Steiff was stricken with Polio and confined to a wheelchair all of her life. Margarete Steiff was a feisty German girl, who never let her disability bother her. She loved having children visit her. Margarete made a small elephant and later other animals which she would let the children play with. Toys were very rare at that time and the children loved playing with them. Margarete's mother began getting orders for the elephant and as other toy animals and set up a small factory in Giengen. By 1887 Margarete's toys were sent all over the world. Margarete's nephew, Richard, in 1902 had made a toy bear with a moving head and limbs as a to present to his aunt. It was bigger and made of more expensive material than whet she has being using. However she shipped it to the USA But it was rejected. The bear was brought to the Leipzig Fair the following year, but kept in the background. They were approached by a representative of a New York import house. He was looking for something soft and cuddly and had found nothing at the fair. The little bear was presented to him, The New York rep was so delighted that he placed an order for 3,000 pieces. Than another 3,000, Than the bear was successful. It came to pass that Theodore Roosevelt's daughter was in the midst of her wedding plans. The caterer, was searching for a unique and appropriate table decoration. In New York he seen this little bear looking at him through the shop's window. The President was a big game hunter so he bought a several to decorate the tables with. He had decorated them in costumes such as fishermen and hunters. Everyone at the wedding including the President was delighted . A close friend of the family asked, "Say "Teddy" what species do these bears belong?" Not knowing Roosevelt replied, "you really got me there so I think they must be a new species called Teddy Bears". The press picked up on this story and had released it all over the papers. The little bear became famous and thousands and thousands were ordered from all over the world. The soft and cuddly "Teddy Bear" has brought comfort to thousands of children and adults alike. |