Booklet Teddy Bear

Teddy bear has made it to its century

One hundred years old, and no sign of winding down! The good old, eternally young teddy bear has made it to its century. Irrespective of brand tags, whether it was a series-production item or an artistic "one off", a playmate, a source of consolation or a proud collector's item, the teddy bear has not only achieved popularity worldwide with people of all ages but has also retained a place in their hearts. In the course of its long life, the teddy bear has conquered all sorts of obstacles -like its "mother", Margarete Steiff from the small south German town of Giengen an der Brenz. Margarete, who was confined to a wheelchair from childhood, put the first stitches in Teddy's snout in 1902.

Fritz Steiff

Fritz Steiff couldn't believe his ears. He asked the buyer for an American toy company to repeat his order. Three thousand! Steiff and his son Richard, who had just finished studying art in England and was a keen collector of bears and other animals, were exhibiting the first soft mohair bears with movable limbs at the 1903 Leipzig Trade Fair, but nobody had been taking much notice. Then suddenly, on the last day of the Fair, a miracle happened! Both of them were very proud of how their sister (or aunt) Margarete Steiff had skilfully translated Richard's drawing into a cuddly bear. And since 1905, Steiff bears have always featured their distinctive "Button in Ear" protected trademark.