Teddy Bears Forever

Answer 1

Teddy Bears aren’t just the comforting, furry friends of millions of children. The story behind the origin of Teddy Bears is a factual piece of Americana.

Theodore Roosevelt, the twenty sixth president, was called Teddy or TR. He was an enthusiastic naturalist, creating many of the great US parks, and keen hunter. He and his cronies were on a bear hunt in Mississippi and had no luck finding their quarry. Finally the hunting dogs found and injured a bear. Someone tied it to a tree, and invited TR to shoot it. TR refused on the grounds of bad sportsmanship, but ordered the injured bear to be put down mercifully.

This happenstance became a news story, and a newspaper cartoonist named Clifford Berryman immortalized Teddy’s Bears. A toy store owner saw the potential in marketing Teddy’s Bears, and a beloved toy was born.

As the years went on the name has morphed to Teddy Bears, and the gruesome true story faded. However, Teddy Bears are as popular as ever. It would be difficult to find a child who doesn’t possess at least one. The cuddly toy sleeps with children of all ages, and many adults have a floppy, one-eyed teddy bear stashed among their personal possessions.

Teddy Bears can come in any size, from the huge bears that can be won at carnival midways to little flocked charms swinging at the end of earrings. Stores across the country feature teddy bears that can be stuffed and dressed as anything from soldiers to princesses.

Teddy Bears are so ingrained in popular culture that they figure prominently in song and story. Many of today’s children have Greatful Dead psychedelic bears gifted them by music-loving parents and grandparents. Radar O’Reilly went through the Korean War in M*A*S*H* with his trusty toy. In Evelyn Waugh’s classic work Brideshead Revisited, Lord Anthony Flyte cuddled and flaunted his teddy bear named Aloysius.

Those clever in sewing find that homemade teddy bears are a welcomed and cherished present. They are the perfect gift for boys and girls alike. No one presenting them as a new baby- or birthday present will hear, Thanks, but I’ve already got one. There is always room for one more teddy bear.