Do you know Teddy, the teddy bear? His story spans generations . He's a famous plush toy that has been popular for generations. He was even created in honor of a former American president, Theodore Roosevelt!

To understand this story, we must go back to 1902, the same year Mount Pelée erupted in Martinique. A year after taking office as the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt participated in a bear hunt in Mississippi. The governor of the region had invited him. During that day, unlike the other hunters on the hunt, Mr. Roosevelt didn't spot a single bear.

After the hunt, the President's aides decided to tie a black bear to a tree. They summoned Theodore and offered to shoot the bear. He, deeming this unsportsmanlike, refused to fire. This event was subsequently reported as news in newspapers across the country , stating that for the first time, a head of state had refused to kill a bear. This was all the more surprising given his reputation as a "big game hunter," and it astonished the entire nation.

An icon is born

After reading the article, political cartoonist Clifford Berryman decided to satirize the president's categorical refusal to kill the bear. This  cartoon was published in the Washington Post a few days later.

A stroke of genius came after these events from Mr. Michtom Morris (owner of a candy store and maker of stuffed animals with his wife Rose) to create a teddy bear and dedicate it to the president who had called for "saving the bear." The " Teddy's Bear " was thus born!

Of course, Mr. Michtom asked the president for permission to use his first name. From that moment, the legend of the Teddy Bear was born . The Michtom family mass-produced this teddy bear and, thanks to its fame and growing sales, founded the Ideal Toy Company . Today, the history of the Teddy Bear is fading, yet its popularity remains worldwide and undeniable, even though its origins date back more than a century.

Create your own plush company mascot

Choosing Teddy as a promotional plush toy reminds parents of their childhood. Like Teddy, leave your mark on your employees, clients, and even within your company with plush toys that reflect your brand .

Creating your own plush mascot can soften the look of your business, but also give a taste of your atmosphere and mindset in the market.

 At Marketing Création, we help you design your Teddy!