Teddy Bear - Origin

In 1902 while visiting Mississippi Governor Andrew LongoIn, Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear.  Cartoonists had fun drawing Theodore Roosevelt.  He was all eyeglasses, mustache and teeth. 

 On November 16, 1902 Washington Post cartoonist William Berryman drew Theodore Roosevelt, dressed in his Rough Rider uniform refusing to shoot a small bear. The cartoon spread like wildfire. 

It didn’t take long for the popularity of the Teddy Bear to catch the imagination of Brooklyn Candy Store owner Morris Michtom.  His wife Rose agreed to stitch together a few stuffed bears, call them Teddy’s Bears, and see if they would sell.  He sent a letter to the president asking for permission to use his name and included a sample stuffed bear. TR wasn’t sure if his name would help the Michtom’s sell bears in Brooklyn, but he liked the idea and allowed the candy store owner to use his name.  

The Teddy Bear became so popular the Michtom's sold their candy store and started the Ideal Toy Company.