On October 27, a number of countries celebrate International Teddy Bear Day –, a good holiday dedicated to one of the most popular toys in the world. Although the dates of the celebration differ – somewhere it is celebrated on October 27, and somewhere – on November 19, the main goal remains one – support of friendship, warmth and kindness. After all, these are the feelings that this dear friend of many children evokes – Teddy Bear.
It is not known for certain who established the holiday and when. But where the bear cub itself came from, there are two versions. According to the first, it was sewn by the wife of toy store owner Morris Michtom – Rose Michtom from the USA. She saw an article in one of the American newspapers about Theodore Roosevelt, then President of the United States, who regretted hunting a bear cub. The rangers overdid it so much that they tied the animal to a tree, but the president refused to shoot the defenseless bear. This story ended up in newspapers, including in the form of cartoons. It was this publication that inspired Rose to create the teddy bear, which « was born in 1903 and, logically, received the name » Teddy« Bear. The toy quickly became popular, and prompted the Michtoms to establish their production.
According to another version, the bear comes from Germany, and its creator is called Margret Steif, who was confined to a wheelchair and, while doing handicrafts, came up with a bear cub whose paws and head moved. Be that as it may, teddy bears quickly gained popularity in the early 20th century in both America and Europe. Moreover, there were a huge number of options for their implementation, and Teddy was given not only to children, but also to loved ones and friends.
In Russia, «-bear foreigners» appeared around the 1910s, but were quite expensive and therefore inaccessible to the general consumer. Already in Soviet times, the Zagorsk Toy Institute developed a domestic teddy bear, but mass production of the toy began only in the post-war period. Bears were made from brown or black plush, and stuffed with cotton wool or sawdust.
This toy has long become a symbol of warmth, kindness and serenity (Photo: Calek, licensed from Shutterstock.com)
In the 21st century, bears have not lost their popularity. And today the teddy bear – is one of the most beloved and common soft toys – black, brown, white, gray, even multi-colored, large and small... All the variety cannot be listed. Almost every child has their own favorite teddy bear. And how many fairy tales, works and cartoons are dedicated to him! In Russia, many people have known Agnia Barto’s verse since childhood «Dropped a bear on the floor...», bear cub Misha became the mascots of the XXII Summer Olympic Games, held in Moscow in 1980, and the most famous of the books about bears –, of course, the book «Winnie the Pooh» by the English writer Alan Milne.
It must be said that the bear cub is popular not only among children; among adults he also has many « fans». Thus, teddy bears produced in the early 20th century – are a desirable object of many collectors. For example, at one of Christie's auctions dedicated to the sale of these toys, a 1929 mohair bear was sold for 90 thousand dollars.
Today's holiday – is another reason to remember your favorite teddy bear, feel nostalgic about childhood, or give your loved one a toy that has long become a symbol of warmth, kindness and serenity.