The teddy bear's history begins in 1902 with President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt's refusal to shoot a captured bear on a hunting trip, an event immortalized in a political cartoon. Inspired by this story, Brooklyn candy shop owner Morris Michtom created a stuffed bear, calling it "Teddy's Bear," and received the President's permission to sell it, making it a huge hit, alongside German toy maker Steiff's similar creations. From these humble beginnings, the cuddly toy became a beloved classic, representing childhood comfort and American history.

The Inspiration: Roosevelt's Hunt (1902)
The Incident: During a Mississippi hunting trip, Roosevelt's party tied an old, injured black bear to a tree for him to shoot, but he refused, calling it unsportsmanlike.

The Cartoon: Political cartoonist Clifford Berryman depicted the event in "Drawing the Line in Mississippi," showing Roosevelt turning away from a cute bear cub, which captured the public's heart.

The First "Teddy's Bear"
Michtom's Idea: Brooklyn shopkeeper Morris Michtom saw the cartoon and created a stuffed bear, placing it in his candy shop window with a sign reading "Teddy's Bear".

Permission Granted: After Michtom wrote to Roosevelt, the President agreed to let him use his nickname, and the bears became an instant success, leading to the founding of Ideal Novelty and Toy Co.

German Contribution (Steiff): Simultaneous Creation: In Germany, Richard Steiff also designed and produced stuffed bears around the same time (debuting at a toy fair in 1903), which helped popularize them globally.