"Spare the Bear!"

A little over a hundred of years ago on a hunting trip, avid hunter and sportsman President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a helpless adult female bear who was unconscious, tethered and bloody.  The President is believed to have said "spare the bear! I will not shoot a tethered animal" (1). This moment of generosity and good sportsmanship was applauded by the general public (even though the bear was eventually killed by another member of the hunting party). 



Clifford Berryman, a popular political cartoonist of the time, portrayed this incident in a cartoon published in the Washington Post on November 16, 1902 as the President refusing to kill "a wide-eyed cub" instead of a huge adult bear (2) which led to century long love affair with the Teddy Bear.  While many people profited by the adorable stuffed creature, Berryman never saw a dime (1).

Using the cartoon as a guide, Morris and Rose Michtom of Brooklyn, NY, created and named a stuffed replica of the bear "Teddy's Bear" (2).  After being sold in their card and stationary shop, demand for the bear rose to such a high level that the Michtoms closed their card and stationary shop and opened the first Teddy Bear factory, Ideal Novelty & Toy Company, in the US.  The teddy bear remains a staple of childhood to this day.

Ideal Novelty & Toy Company has changed hands several times over the years, but chances are you own or have owned a toy that originated from this company.  Ideal is responsible for such toys and games as Mousetrap and Toss Across. While the company doesn't remain in existence today, Mattel currently continues to manufacture the Magic 8 ball and Rubik's cube which was originally part of Ideal's line (3).

http://www.feelgoodfalls.com/stuffed-animals.html

We at Feelgood Falls love the Teddy Bear as well and have the privilege to making two customizable teddy bears (with some help from our friends at Funky Friends Factory).  These bears are available on our website, www.feelgoodfalls.com.  We are so happy to include them in our Valentine's Day plush sale.  Until 2/14/14, all plush animals are buy 1, get 1 for $15.  Use coupon code VDAYPLUSH at checkout to receive this discount!


Bibliography

1.  Bryant, M. (2007). If You Go Down to the Woods Today…. History Today, 57(3), 58-59.
2.  Clay, M. (2003). TEDDY TURNS 100. American History, 37(6), 48.

3.  Ideal Toy Company & Novelty. (2014). Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideal_Toy_Company

4.  Berryman, Clifford. (1902). Drawing the Line in Mississippi. Retrieved from http://www.collectorsquest.com/uploads/blog/2012/04/TR-and-bear-cartoon.jpeg