'Teddy' Bears
In 1902 the American President, Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt was on a hunting trip in Mississippi, where he refused to shoot a wild black bear that had been captured and tied to a tree after being hunted for sport. The incident became the subject of a political cartoon in the Washington Post newspaper showing Roosevelt in a sympathetic light.
The 'Ideal Novelty and Toy Company' in America and the 'Steiff Company' in Germany both began producing 'Teddy Bears' in 1902/03 and both are credited with being the first manufacturers.
The first Bears were very 'Bear like' in appearance, usually standing on all 4's with long snouts but manufacturers quickly made their faces more human like to appeal to a wider audience.
The market took off massively as children and adults alike fell in love with Teddy Bears
and 100 years later the industry now turns over more than £1 billion per year globally.
Everyone should have their own Teddy Bear!