In recognition of National Teddy Bear Day on September 9, we’re paying homage to four beloved bears that ignite curiosity, teach children valuable life-lessons, and provide comfort in times of insecurity.
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Teddy Bears
It all started in Brooklyn, NY, when candy shop owner Morris Michtom displayed two stuffed bears made by his wife, Rose. He called them “Teddy’s Bears” as a tip of the hat to Theodore Roosevelt, who refused to shoot a real bear during a hunting trip in 1902. Teddy’s Bears were an instant success and the Michtoms formed Ideal Novelty and Toy Company to mass produce the stuffed toy.
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Winnie the Pooh
The Winnie The Pooh character was created in 1924 by author A.A. Milne, based on a stuffed bear owned by his son, Christopher Milne. The bear and his group of friends taught lessons of friendship, acceptance, patience, and love – and soon became one of the most popular characters in children’s literature.
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Paddington Bear
Author Michael Bond introduced children to a new friend in his 1958 children’s book, A Bear Called Paddington. The story centered around Paddington, a lonely stowaway from Peru who nurtured kindness and compassion in young readers. The first plush Paddington appeared in stores in 1972. A Paddington Bear toy was the first item passed by the British to the to the French when the two halves of the Channel Tunnel were linked in 1994.
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Teddy Ruxpin
Created in 1985 and dubbed “The World’s First Animated Talking Toy”, Teddy Ruxpin ushered in a new era of animatronic toys and became a best-selling toy in in the mid-1980s. The bear’s eyes and mouth moved as he “read” stories played through a cassette deck built into his back.
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