Most of us would have had a special fluffy friend or companion during our childhood days. However, kids nowadays are more fond of the fancy gadgets that pack a whole bunch of games, music, cartoons and a lot more including a virtual companion like 'Talking Tom' etc.
Gone were the days when a simple stick was enough to keep a kid entertained, talking of my dad's time. During the 80's almost all kids had a special toy without which life was almost impossible. Even kids today seem to have a special love for that friend. Yes, it is none other than the 'Teddy Bear'.
All that is fine but what about the Teddy Bear and why now?
Yes, with most of the world going gaga over 'Teddy Bear Day' which is celebrated on February 10th, as a part of Valentine's week, I just thought I would spill some beans about our little friend who was our world when we were kids who eventually moved into a cupboard or got passed on to our younger cousins.
Almost every kid had a Teddy Bear and even kids today have that special friend they hold close to their heart but know very little about.
Cutting to the chase, if we were to give teddy an age it would be over 100 years old. The soft cuddly Teddy Bear was first made during the early 20th century by Ny candy shop owner Morris Michtom inspired from Clifford Berryman's original cartoon of Roosevelt and the bear and named after President (Teddy) Theodore Roosevelt.
| This political cartoon by Clifford Berryman's depicts President Theodore Roosevelt's bear hunting trip to Mississippi. The cartoon gave the 'Teddy' Bear it's name. It was published in the Washington Post in 1902. (Via Wikimedia) |
Since then the Teddy Bear became an iconic children's toy and featured in many songs, movies and every toy store would have at least one Teddy.
Created in the image of real bear cubs these fluffy friends are now available in various shapes, sizes and materials.
Teddy Bears which are the most popular gifts among children have also become collector's items with older and rare Teddies appearing in public auctions.
Teddy Bears are mostly gifted as a token of love and congragulations.
The Story Behind the Teddy Bear
During one of his hunting trips to Mississipi in 1902 the former US President, Theodore Roosevelt commonly known as Teddy, and his attendants couldn't spot any wild animals to hunt after hours of searching. Just before they called it a day the hunting party tracked down and spotted a helpless bear and tied it to a tree and asked Teddy to shoot the bear just so he could collect a hunting trophy. he refused to shoot the bear as he felt it was un-sportsman like.
This incident became the topic of a political cartoon illustrated by Clifford Berryman following which Morris Michtom took inspiration from the cartoon and created the first toy bear cub and sent it to Roosevelt seeking permission to use his name. The toy bear was called 'Teddy's Bear' which eventually is being called 'Teddy Bear'.