Mehwash Hussain | Updated: May 27, 2022 13:33 IST
Teddy Bear Essay: We all have that one amazing, unforgettable childhood toy that we will never forget. For some, it may be the toy automobile that transported you across the cosmos and back, while for others, it could be legos that could be built into a full-fledged city. For me, it’s the traditional old teddy bear who was constantly at my side and protected me at all hours of the day and night. From young to the elderly, it has become the closest friend, providing lasting memories for decades and beyond. The teddy bear is more than a toy; it has a unique history and has developed into a variety of forms, all of which continue to soothe children and adults alike. A little felt, stuffing, and a few buttons may make a huge difference in someone’s life.
Did you know that President Theodore Roosevelt inspired the creation of the Teddy Bear? On November 14, 1902, Theodore Roosevelt was on a bear hunting expedition near Onward, Mississippi, when it all started. Governor Andrew H. Longino of Mississippi had invited him, but unlike the other hunters in the party, Theodore had failed to find a single bear.
A black bear was trapped and tied to a willow tree by Roosevelt’s helpers, commanded by Holt Collier, a born slave and former Confederate cavalryman. Roosevelt was summoned, and it was proposed that he shoot it. Roosevelt hesitated to shoot the bear because he thought it was unsportsmanlike. The story of the incident immediately went across the country through newspaper stories. The president’s refusal to shoot a bear was detailed in the stories. It wasn’t just any president, though; it was big game enthusiast Theodore Roosevelt!
After reading the report, political cartoonist Clifford Berryman chose to mock the president’s hesitation to shoot the bear. On November 16, 1902, Berryman’s cartoon was published in the Washington Post.
When Morris Michtom, the proprietor of a Brooklyn confectionery shop, saw the cartoon, he had an idea. Michtom decided to make a stuffed toy bear and dedicate it to the president who refused to kill a bear. He and his wife Rose also manufactured stuffed animals, and Michtom decided to make a stuffed toy bear and dedicate it to the president who refused to shoot a bear. ‘Teddy’s Bear,’ he named it.
Michtom mass manufactured the toy bears after gaining Roosevelt’s permission to use his name, and they were so successful that he soon created the Ideal Toy Company. The Teddy Bear is still famous across the world, and its origins may be traced back to Theodore’s fatal hunting excursion in 1902.
Teddy bears represent the innocence of a kid. They remind us of being cared for and nourished by others. They’re a reminder of the carefree days of youth when the only thing on our minds was when we’d get to play again. We all have an “inner kid” that we still cling on to. We all need times of escape, no matter how many grownup obligations we have.
Teddy bears remind us of a special person who cared for us and gave us a teddy bear as a gift. They remind us of how wonderful it is to be loved. Teddy bears have been shown to have a favourable influence on people’s moods in psychological tests. Human lives are centred on the psychological needs for love and care. Policemen and firefighters utilise teddy bears to calm families who are going through a difficult time. They are a worldwide sign of love and compassion.
As a result, teddy bears are prized for the memories they evoke. Treasured memories have a high psychological worth. Pleasant memories infuse our reality with positive emotions and provide solace during difficult times. It’s incredible to understand that a teddy bear may be a one-of-a-kind personalised present. Teddy bears are one of a kind. A teddy bear is a proven comfort object with various psychological benefits in today’s stressful society.