Customised Teddy Bears Convey a History of Compassion
When considering why customised teddy bears ought be the bearer of one’s message—be it a personal message offering congratulations or condolences, the message of one’s charity, or the logo of one’s school or business—it’s wise to keep in mind the cultural importance and history of the teddy bear itself. Only by understanding the origin of the teddy bear can one fully appreciate the subtle impact tying your message to a bear can have.
The story of the teddy bear is, at its very root, one of human compassion. Back in 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt was feeling the pressure, in more ways than one. He was still early in his presidency, and he had just been called to peacefully negotiate a border dispute between Mississippi and Louisiana. He was also under pressure to prove himself as a great outdoorsman, as he had been invited to join in a traditional Mississippi bear hunt.
The hunt dragged on, and while other members of his party had located bears, Roosevelt had failed to do so, despite usually being an adept hunter. He was facing possible national humiliation at not being able to even sight a bear in a region where they were fairly plentiful—something that could negatively reflect on his image as a strong and competent president.
Finally, just before it was too late, Roosevelt’s guides located an old black bear, and had the dogs subdue and injure the animal before tying it to a willow tree. They then summoned the President, offering him the bear to shoot—giving him a chance to redeem his good name as a worthy hunter.
Roosevelt, however, could not do the deed—the poor bear chained to a tree was a sorry sight, and the President could not take credit for killing the creature so unfairly. He had the bear put down as an act of mercy as the animal was badly wounded, and walked away from the hunt empty-handed.
This story soon hit the newspapers, with political cartoonist Clifford Berryman drawing a cartoon of Roosevelt refusing to shoot the bear, who was depicted as a scared, cuddly cub. The nation only loved the President more for his act of compassion, and throughout the rest of his time in office, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was frequently shown in other cartoons accompanied by this same small bear.
Seeing these cartoons, a candy shop owner in Brooklyn, NY—one Morris Michtom—was struck with sudden inspiration while gazing at a couple of stuffed toy bears his wife had sewn. He was soon in touch with the President, receiving permission to call the toy bears “Teddy’s bears”. The bears were an immediate sensation, going into mass production and leading to the formation of the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company; the Teddy Bear had been born.
As for Teddy Roosevelt, he never gave up on his compassion for nature, and to preserve the habitats of big game animals, he initiated many conservation efforts over the span of his career—protecting a staggering 230,000,000 acres of public land during his time as President.
Ergo, when you attach your message to customised teddy bears, you add your personal sentiment to this ongoing story of compassion, and this can be a very powerful thing. When you send condolences or support, you send it with a hug, a tactile reminder of how much you care for the recipient. When you send out customised teddy bears with the logo of your charity, you send comfort to those in need. When you send one as a corporation or school, you send a reminder that large institutions like schools, governments, and businesses are still capable of caring and sympathy, just as President Roosevelt was despite being in a position of such systemic power.
You are also likely to keep your message in the recipient’s heart for a long while, as who, after all, has the heart to get rid of a teddy bear?
