The Development And Popularity Of Stuffed Teddy Bears

Strictly speaking, the stuffed bear toys that we usually see are not real teddy bears. Just like cars have different shapes, specifications, and brands, stuffed bears also have different brands, styles, appearances, and even designers. It is impossible to use teddy bears to represent all bears. However, because teddy bears are so widely used, people often refer to all stuffed bears as teddy bears.
In fact, stuffed bears existed long before the appearance of teddy bears. Although there is no direct evidence to prove the earliest invention and origin of teddy bears, there were traces of teddy bears as early as the end of the 19th century. In 1880, the most popular toy in Berlin was a wooden bear standing on all fours (on all fours is a toy car that can be pulled around). At the same time, in Moscow bars, a drinking bear made of automatic clockwork was also popular (a clockwork bear toy that can not only hold a bottle and pour wine into a glass to drink, but also smoke and dance). This automatic drinking teddy bear was very novel and popular at the time.

In 1893, Steiff, the most famous teddy bear manufacturing company, also made some upright non-puppet bear toys with chains on the nose. However, these teddy bears, which had not been baptized by more than a hundred years, appeared in realistic images. Not only were they more realistic visually, but they were also heavier and harder in touch. To develop the appearance of a plush bear with rotating limbs, it took a long time for many materials, fillings and appearances to evolve.

In fact, teddy bear was originally an independent proper noun. The most correct statement should be that only the bears made between 1903 and 1912, during the term of President Roosevelt, before the First World War, can be called teddy bears.
The teddy bear, born in 1903, originated from President Roosevelt's love for bears and the popularity at the time. It can be said to be the ancestor of plush bears. It has a round and plump body and limbs, fluffy and warm angora wool, simple materials and embroidery thread, honest expression, and 100% hand-sewn and stuffed work. Whether it comes from the United States or Europe, the spirit left over from the ancient times still exists.
However, this kind of real teddy bear, or even the so-called antique bear, is rare. Only in books, museums, or collectors' homes can we have a glimpse of their true appearance. However, these teddy bears that will never return have been revived again due to the retro trend and historical memories, as well as auctions and collectors' concept of preserving value. Manufacturers have re-made molds to reproduce the style of the time, or deliberately imitated retro bear toys from old times.