Teddy Bear is my favorite childhood toy. I got my first Teddy on my 4th birthday. First impressions that I got from Teddy Bear were warm, huggable, cute, and nice. Teddy Bear is a stuffed toy bear. It is an enduring, traditional form of a stuffed animal, often serving the purpose of entertaining children. In recent times, some teddy bears have become collector's items. Not only children, adult people also love the Bear.

There are two stories that seem to explain the creation of the teddy bear at around the same time (1902=1903)

First, The US President, President Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear cub offered to him following an unsuccessful hunting trip in 1902. When a cartoon showing “Teddy’s bear” turned up in newspapers throughout the country, candy store owner Morris Michtom came up with a design for a jointed toy bear. He asked The President's permission to sell the toy bear and after he got it, he became a millionaire. Teddy’s bear was such a hit that Michtom closed his candy store and started the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company, now one of the most recognizable and largest toy manufacturers in the world.

Michtom did not use a label for his jointed mohair plush bears, and this has made authenticating his bears much more difficult. The early Ideal bears are similar to Steiff bears, but have larger ears set low on the head and feet that are slightly pointed.


The second story, German toy designer Richard Steiff is believed to have viewed performing bears in a circus when he visited America, giving him the idea for a toy bear with jointed arms and legs that could turn its head like a doll. In 1903, he exhibited his new toy, Friend Petz, at the Leipzig Spring Toy Fair.

The Steiff plush bears, with long, curved limbs and spoon-shaped paws, are immediately identifiable by the company’s trademark. The earliest buttons from 1903 to 1904 were embossed with an elephant; next followed a blank disc and thereafter a stud stamped with the name "Steiff.''

Some popular mass-marketed teddy bears made today include Rupert, Sooty, Paddington, and Pudsey Bear. Books have also been written with the teddy bear featured as their main character. These include Winnie-the-Pooh, Corduroy, Teddy Tells Time, and Teddy Dressing.

Beside of the above type of bears Teddy Bears also were produced by many toys companies. Like these brands :

Merrythought Teddy Bears : Feature large round ears and joined claws. Produced from the 1930s
Chad Valley Teddy Bears : Made of soft, lush gold mohair, had cuddy limbs stuffed with silky fibers. First produced in the 1920s
JK Farnell & Co : Had amber glass eyes and ears set at an angle.
Schuco Teddy Bears : Novelty bears that did tricks and played music.
Boyds Bears
Care Bears : It started from an illustrations on greeting cards and turned out to be real teddy bears.
Cherished Teddies are designed by Priscilla Hillman

Teddy now goes around the world. You may find Teddy Bear Museum in many countries like in Asia, we have Teddy Bear Museum in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

Teddy Bear Museum in South Korea is located in Jeju Island opened on April 24, 2001. Here you can find everything you want to know about Teddy Bears! It contains two galleries, a museum gift shop, and a museum cafe. Also, on site is a museum bar/restaurant, a wonderful place to meet friends, family, and lovers. From the outside garden, there is a great view of Chungmoon Beach.

Address :
Jeju Island Teddy Bear Museum
Chungmoon Travel Complex
Jeju Island

Open hours :
09:00 ~ 19:00 (tickets on sale until 18:00)
Summer (Jul. 16 ~ Aug. 25) - 09:00 ~ 22:00 (tickets on sale until 21:00)
Open throughout the year

Ticket price :
Adults: 6,000 won (Groups: 5,000 won) or about USD 6 (Groups : USD 5)
Youths: 5,000 won (Groups: 4,000 won) or about USD 5 (Groups : USD 4)
Children and Soldiers: 4,000 won (Groups: 3,000 won) or about USD 4 (Groups : USD 3)
Group: 20 people or more

Teddy Bear Museum in Hong Kong :
P1-P2, The Amazon
12 Salisbury Road
Tsim Sha Tsui (next to New World Centre)

I think Teddy Bear is become an International toy. Every child in the world will smile if they got their Teddy. They will hug and clutch the Bear immediately once you handling it to them. Like children in Aceh after Tsunami, they smiled and suddenly forgot all the disaster after they received toys, dolls, and teddy bear from people all over the country. Even if it's just a used one.  Teddy Bear is a child best friend.