The popularity of the teddy bear has grown steadily throughout their history to the point where not only children, but adults all over the world have a favourite teddy bear, a teddy bear collection, or just a love and fascination with the teddy bear. Teddy bears have even spawned their own culture, with collectors, museums, exhibitions, teddy bear makers and enthusiasts around the globe meeting, sharing and enjoying teddy bear culture.

It is widely believed that the cuddly creatures we know today as teddy bears, began their story in 1902. November 14^th 1902 if you want to be specific. The then President of the United States, one Theodore Roosevelt, was on a bear-hunting trip in Mississippi and had failed to shoot a single bear. His assistants, thinking they would please their President, captured a bear and tied it to a tree for President Roosevelt to shoot. However, the President saw this as extremely unsportsmanlike and refused to shoot the bear, insisting it be released back into the wild.

The story spread rapidly, being shared in newspaper articles up and down the country and when seen by a candy store owner in Brooklyn, Morris Michtom, he decided, along with his wife Rose, to commemorate the event by making a stuffed bear which he named “Teddy’s Bear”, Teddy being the less formal version of Theodore. The President gave his permission for his name to be used and the Teddy Bear was born.

Meanwhile, at the same time over in Germany, Margarete Steiff’s eponymous company Steiff had begun making their own teddy bears and these would also become synonymous with the teddy bear legend. Today, bears by the company founded by Margarete Steiff are amongst the most collectible in the world. They are famous for their hand-crafted quality and materials such as mohair and alpaca and Steiff bears are recognised by their distinctive “Button in Ear” which marks a true Steiff bear. Today, Steiff continues to make world class teddy bears for all ages. There are collectibles, limited edition bears, plush bears and animals for children and bear related items such as comfort blankets, rattles and baby grip toys. The company motto: “Only the best is good enough for children” still stands proud and true today.

Teddy Bear Bliss is proud to be a part of such a magnificent industry as the teddy bear. It is a history steeped in tradition with quality, craftmanship and love at the heart of it. Over one hundred years after the teddy bear legend began the bears’ popularity gets ever stronger. Whether, you’ve been collecting for years, are starting out, or just buying a gift for a newborn, friend or… well anybody really, choose a bear with a history of quality and you will be choosing a friend for life.