25 Fascinating Facts About the Teddy Bear You Never Learned in School

Teddy bear has been loved by children and adults for over a century, bringing comfort and joy. But how much do you know about this lovely toy? You are going to know 25 fascinating facts about teddy bears that you probably never knew.

1. The teddy bear was created after a political cartoon of President Theodore Roosevelt not wanting to hurt a baby bear while hunting in 1902.

2. The first teddy bears were made in Germany in 1902 and were called “teddy” after President Roosevelt.
3. The biggest/tallest teddy bear ever was displayed in Estado de Mexico on April 28, 2019. It measured 19.41 meters long (63 feet and 8 inches), and it is recorded in the Guinness World Records. learn more
4. The world’s smallest teddy bear is just 4.5mm in size. Despite its tiny size, the bear has all the features of a regular teddy bear, with movable joints in its head, arms, and legs.
5. The original Steiff teddy bears were made with mohair fur.
6. The first American-made teddy bears were produced by the Ideal Toy Company in 1907.
7. During World War I and II, teddy bears were used as mascots by the military. Teddy bears were more popular among German soldiers,
8. Magellan T. Bear, made by the North American Bear Company, was the first teddy bear to go to space. It flew on Space Shuttle Discovery as the “education specialist” during the STS-63 mission in February 1995.
9. Teddy bears can be helpful for people struggling with PTSD, bipolar disorder, or other mental illnesses. Professionals in psychotherapy have even recommended them as a coping mechanism. They are also used in certain types of therapy to assist in grief and trauma management.
10. The world’s most expensive teddy bear (Steiff Louis Vuitton Teddy Bear) was sold for over $2 million at an auction in Monaco in 2000.

11. Teddy bears have been used in hospitals to comfort sick children. When children are about to undergo surgery and feel uncomfortable, the teddy bears may provide them comfort and make them feel more at ease,
12. Teddy bears have been used in scientific studies to understand human attachment.
13. The original Teddy Ruxpin talking bear from the 1980s was the first of its kind and used cassette tapes to “speak.”

14. The first teddy bear museum opened in Petersfield, England in 1984.
15. The Teddy Bear Picnic song was written in 1907 and is still popular today.

16. Teddy bears have been used to raise money for charity through auctions and sales.
17. Some Police departments use teddy bears (often called Sergeant Teddy) which are used to comfort children in distress.
18. The first animated teddy bear character was Winnie the Pooh, created by A.A. Milne in 1926.
19. Teddy bears have been featured in countless movies and TV shows.
20. Teddy bears have been used in advertising campaigns, such as the iconic “Snuggle” bear for fabric softener.
21. Teddy bears have been used in political campaigns, such as the “Teddy Roosevelt Bear” in the 1904 presidential election.
22. Teddy bears have been used to teach children about empathy and kindness in schools.
23. The world’s largest teddy bear collection belongs to Jackie Miley and consists of over 8,000 bears.
24. The oldest Steiff teddy bear (made in 1904) in the world. sold for around $105,000 in the year 2000 in Germany.
25. In Dublin Zoo, Republic of Ireland, on June 24, 1995, a very big picnic was held for teddy bears. 33,573 teddy bears with their owners came to the picnic, making it the largest teddy bear picnic ever held.