Teddy Bears – Stuffed Toy Or Best Friend?

Teddy bears have been a symbol of affection, like and cuddles, in excess of a century. They are often given away at carnivals as prizes. It's the one possession that children feel safe with at night time when they go to sleep. Teddy bears are a source of comfort and warmth. Try taking away their teddy bear from a young child and be set for tears!

Of course, there have been many well-known bears throughout time. Who can forget Winnie The Pooh, Fozzie the Bear from The Muppet Show, The Care Bears, Sooty the teddy bear glove puppet, Humphrey Bear, Baloo in Jungle Book, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Paddington Bear, Rupert the Bear, Smokie the Bear and Yogi Bear? We have all grown up with these endearing characters. We have been taught by them, laughed at them, and admired them. Who hasn't heard the well-known song "Teddy Bears Picnic" That song has been around since 1907!
Some Well-known People and their Teddy Bears

I don't know the most well-known bear tale is in the origins of the teddy bear name. It has been commonly reported that the teddy bear got its name from Head Teddy Roosevelt when he refused to shoot a bear cub, which had been chained to a tree for him by his hosts, who wanted to make sure he was thriving during a hunting trip. Some other well-known personalities have had their very own teddy bears. Elvis had a teddy bear called Mabel when he was a child. It sold for $75,000 at public sale. In 1989 a Steiff bear sold for $88,000 in a Sotheby's London public sale! Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean had "Teddie" which featured often during the series. Donald Campbell, the world record breaking land and water champion took his "Mr Whoppit" bear along with him on record attempts. Aviation pioneers Alcock and Brown took their teddy bear mascots with them on their record breaking first non-stop Atlantic flight in 1919.

Question any adult what their favourite toy was and they will doubtless tell you it was a stuffed toy, and a large percentage of those will certainly say, "my teddy bear". While there are many different types of toys on the market today, the teddy bear still ruins a strong favourite for many children. In fact, eBay reports that on any day there are over a staggering 20,000 teddy bears up for public sale!

Author: Brian Parkin
Condition Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Information