• A teddy bear is the official national symbol of Japan.
• Arctophile: A person who collects teddy bears is called an arctophile (from Greek arctos for bear and philos for loving).
• Beanie Baby bears are of the most popular in Beanie Baby collections.
• February tenth is celebrated as Teddy Day during Valentines Week.
• First bears were made from mohair, but today's are typically soft polyester.
• In 1924, Disney’s Alice and the Three Bears was the first color-animated film about teddy bears!
• In 2013, it was reported that the average American spends about $220 on teddy bears each year!
• In December 2009, a new record was set for the most teddy bears sold in one day - more than 5 million bears!
• In some cultures, it's bad luck to give a bear without first naming it, leading to Russian bears often named Vladimir or Natasha.
• In the early 1900s, bears were used as comfort dolls for soldiers during World War I because they felt gentle and nonthreatening.
• Magellan T. Bear became the first teddy bear in space in 1995 as an educational project.
• Over 50 million teddy bears are gifted annually in the U.S. alone, serving as comforting companions for kids and adults.
• Over 90% of teddy bears sold in the United States are created in China.
• Police and firefighters often give teddy bears to children during emergencies to provide comfort and security.
• Some adults collect "Cherished Teddies". They are figurines of teddy bears.
• Teddies are often given as Valentine's Day gifts because they symbolize love and loving care.
• Teddy bears are one of the most popular holiday gifts.
• Teddy bears have been dressed up since 1905 and originally served as part-time animal companions to sick children during hospital visits.
• The biggest collection of teddy bears consists of 20,367 items.
• The first teddy bears were made of flannel and bear fur by Jill Craigie, an American artist, in 1888.
• The largest teddy bear in the world is 19.41 meters in height.
• The name "teddy bear" was first used in 1903 when a toy dealer Edward Bear made stuffed animals for children at his shop. He called them "teddies."
• The oldest known Recordable teddy bear was made in 1887 to a soldier named Albert Lasker, who brought it back from France after the war ended.
• The smallest teddy bear sold commercially was only 9 millimeters in height.
• The teddy bear has been featured in many different movies and T.V. shows, including The Godfather, Forrest Gump, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
• There are more than 500 types of Teddy Bears on sale at any time (as of 2019).
• There is no specific teddy bear breed, as they come in various shapes and sizes, including lions, tigers, pandas, unicorns, and more!
• Wendy Boston invented the first washable teddy bear in 1954, a major innovation.