Who invented the Teddy Bear?

Summary

Who Smarted? – "Who Invented the Teddy Bear?"

Podcast: Who Smarted?
Episode Date: December 22, 2025
Summary by: Podcast Summarizer AI

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Who Smarted?" tackles the curious and heartwarming question: "Who invented the Teddy Bear?" Host Trusty Narrator is joined by his chatty stuffed panda bear, Teddy, for a comical and interactive dive into the century-spanning history of stuffed animals, the surprising origins of their popularity, and how the teddy bear specifically captured hearts around the world. The episode blends humor, trivia, and lively banter, making learning both fun and memorable for kids and grownups alike.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Prevalence of Stuffed Animals

• [02:49] Stuffed animals are not just for kids—approximately 40% of adults in the USA still sleep with their childhood stuffed animals, totaling over 100 million adults!
  • Notable quote (A, Host):

    "If you said C, you’re right. 40% of all grown-ups in the USA still sleep with their childhood stuffed animals. That’s over 100 million adults. Whoa."

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Early Stuffed Animal History

• [04:21] The first true "stuffed animal" traces back to 1880 with German seamstress Margaret Steiff, who made a stuffed elephant—not as a toy, but as a pin cushion.
• [05:16] Children found even these not-very-cuddly creations irresistible, leading Steiff to make and sell them as toys.
  • Notable quote (B, Teddy):

    "Wait a minute. A woman named Stife created stuffed animals? Then why aren’t we called stifed animals? Talk about a missed opportunity. I can’t bear it."

What were early stuffies made of?

• [05:37] Margaret’s elephants were stuffed with wood shavings, making them sturdy for pins but not cuddly as toys.
• [07:35] Materials evolved from wood shavings to horsehair, straw, cotton, wool, pellets, bamboo, and more.
  • Activity Tip: Check your stuffed animal’s tag to see what it’s made of!

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From Useful Pin Cushions to Toys for All

• [06:18–07:28] Children themselves helped pivot the use of stuffed animals from sewing aids to beloved playthings.
  • Hand-sewn by Margaret, each was painstakingly made, whereas today over half a billion are sold annually in the U.S. alone thanks to mass production.

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The Origin of the Teddy Bear

• [09:03] The true "Teddy Bear" is all-American, named after President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.
• [09:03–10:55] Story Recap:
  • In 1902, Roosevelt went hunting in Mississippi. After an unsuccessful day, his guide tied a bear cub for him to shoot. Roosevelt refused, showing compassion.
  • Newspapers nationwide reported the story; a famous cartoon illustrated the event.
  • Morris Michtom, a candy shop owner and toy maker, created the first cuddly teddy bear in Roosevelt’s honor. The name stuck, and teddy bears became a sensation.
  • Notable quote (A, Host):

    "That’s how we got the first ever teddy bear."

  • Notable moment: Dramatic retelling of Roosevelt's refusal to shoot the bear, emphasizing compassion and kindness—a major turning point in toy history.

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Why Did Teddy Bears Become Popular Worldwide?

• [11:06–12:57] The tale went global and inspired countless famous stuffed animals, integrating into pop culture and literature.

Famous Stuffed Animals Highlighted

• [11:32] List of famous stuffies—Paddington Bear, Teddy Ruxpin, Care Bears, Squishmallows, and more.

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The Cultural Stories of Stuffed Animals

Winnie the Pooh

• [12:02] A. A. Milne wrote "Winnie the Pooh" (1926), inspired by his son’s teddy bear.
• The real-life Pooh was purchased at Harrods in London; named after a real black bear and a swan.
• Pooh’s visual image was shaped by illustrator E. H. Shepherd’s own son’s teddy bear.
  • Notable quote (B, Teddy):

    "Fun fact: Christopher chose the name Winnie after a black bear at the London Zoo, and Pooh after a family friend’s pet swan."

The Velveteen Rabbit

• [13:20] Pre-dating Pooh, "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams (1921) tells the tale of a toy rabbit who becomes real through love—a concept that continues to inspire.
  • Notable quote (A, Host):

    "Marjorie Williams story about the Velveteen Rabbit is the birthplace for the idea that if you really love a stuffed animal for a long, long time, that stuffed animal becomes real." ([13:56])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Puns and Humor:

  • [04:54] B (Teddy): "Then why aren’t we called stifed animals? Talk about a missed opportunity. I can’t bear it."
  • [07:51] B (Teddy): "I’m glad I’m not stuffed with bamboo. I’d be trying to eat myself."

• On Roosevelt’s Compassion:

  • [10:07] B (Teddy): "When Roosevelt saw the bear that Collier had caught and tied up for him to hunt, Roosevelt instead took pity on the baby bear and refused to kill it."

• On the Magic of Stuffed Animals:

  • [14:20] A (Host): "Marjorie Williams story about the velveteen rabbit is the birthplace for the idea that if you really love a stuffed animal for a long, long time, that stuffed animal becomes real."
  • [14:25] B (Teddy): "Aw, what a great concept. Even if it might not really be true."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic/Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:49 | Surprise—adults also love stuffed animals! | | 04:21 | The 1880s and Margaret Steiff’s first stuffed elephant (pincushion) | | 06:18 | Kids turn stuffed animals into toys | | 07:35 | The evolution of stuffing materials | | 08:49 | Teddy jokes about "skincare" and longevity | | 09:03 | The Teddy Roosevelt story and naming of the teddy bear | | 11:32 | List of famous stuffed animals | | 12:02 | The origin of Winnie the Pooh | | 13:20 | Introduction of the Velveteen Rabbit | | 14:20 | The idea that loving a stuffed animal makes it "real" |

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Language and Tone

• Playful, silly puns: The banter between Trusty Narrator and Teddy is full of bear puns—delighting children and keeping the mood light.
• Inclusive and interactive: Kids are encouraged to shout out answers and guess along, making the history feel like a game.
• Affectionate: The hosts model support and warmth, especially when discussing the emotional side of toys.

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Summary Takeaways

• Stuffed animals were first invented as pin cushions in the 1880s by Margaret Steiff, then became toys thanks to children’s fascination.
• The "teddy bear" is named after Theodore Roosevelt, stemming from a famous act of compassion during a hunting trip.
• Teddy bears and stuffed animals hold deep nostalgia and comfort for people of all ages, inspiring stories like Winnie the Pooh and The Velveteen Rabbit.
• The love for a stuffed toy is universal and timeless—a beautiful theme for all "smarty pants" listeners!

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For more learning fun and to catch the next episode, join Who Smarted? anytime. Nighty night, Smarties!

Transcript

[A]

Time is running out, smarty pants, and this is your last chance to save. It's me, the trusty narrator with an important reminder about who smarted Sea Camp, our live interactive video Ocean adventure happening December 29th and 30th. All discounted sea camp tickets end December 22nd. And after that, prices go up to $59 per family. Right now, your family can grab the Flex pass for just $45. And that gives you access to any show, anytime on E. Or even all of the adventures, if you want the full Sea Camp experience. And here's what you'll be diving into with me, my friend, Captain Kalani and the shark obsessed Mick Shaw. Live with video. We'll be exploring the ocean, meeting incredible sea creatures, discovering underwater volcanoes, and traveling to the deepest place on Earth, the Mariana Trench. We'll do experiments, we'll play games, and you'll even design your own control panel to to help steer the SS Smarty Sub. And the whole time, you'll be able to chat live with me, the trusty narrator. Remember, discounts end December 22nd. After that, all tickets are $59, so don't wait. Go to WhoSmarted.com and click Sea Camp. Today. Grab your $45 Flex Pass before the discount disappears. I can't wait to explore the ocean with you and chat with you. Live in the sea or. And now it's time for who's Smarted? Psst. Hey, smarty pants. Quick question. Do any of you sleep with a stuffed animal? Maybe it's a cat or a dog or a lion, llama, dolphin, seahorse or turtle. Maybe it's a cartoon character or from a movie. Would it surprise you to know I do? Mine's a stuffed panda bear, and you'll never guess what its name is.

[B]

Hi, I'm Teddy.

[A]

Whoa, Teddy. I didn't know you could talk.

[B]

What are you talking about? We talk all the time. We do our not so great comedy act.

[A]

Sure, sure. But I didn't think anyone else could hear us.

[B]

Well, they can today. Are you sure you want me here on the podcast with you? Why?

[A]

Because I'm embarrassed to still sleep with a stuffy? Because I'm not.

[B]

No, it's not that. It's because you fall asleep whenever we snuggle.

[A]

Oh, no, don't worry about that. I'll be.

[B]

Fine. Trusty, wake up.

[A]

What? Is this still on? Sorry, Smarties. I don't know what got into me.

[B]

I do. Teddy bears like me have been helping people fall asleep for over a hundred years.

[A]

Hey, I'm not that Old?

[B]

Well, not you specifically. I'm talking about people everywhere. We're super popular. Millions of kids sleep with stuffed animals. And believe it or not, so do grown ups.

[A]

Smarty pants, what percentage of adults do you think sleep with stuffed animals? Is it A, 10% or 1 in 10? B, 20% or 2 in 10? Or C, 40% or 4 in 10? If you said C, you're right. 40% of all grown ups in the USA still sleep with their childhood stuffed animals. That's over 100 million adults. Whoa. But when and how were stuffed animals invented? How did teddy bears become so popular? And why do we call them teddy bears? It's time for another whiff of history on who's smarted.

[B]

Who's smarted?

[A]

Who's smart?

[B]

Is it you?

[A]

Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun, but who's smarted? Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom. Well, that's the last of the pizza. I'm stuffed.

[B]

No, I'm stuffed. You're just temporarily full.

[A]

Fair point. So, smarty pants, when were stuffed animals actually invented? Let's see if you can guess. Is it the 1700s? Around the time of the American Revolution? The 1800s, just after the Civil War? Or the 1900s, during the Great Depression? The answer is stuffed animals can be traced back to 1880, when a seamstress named Margaret Stife made a stuffed elephant.

[B]

Wait a minute. A woman named Stife created stuffed animals?

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Then why aren't we called stifed animals? Talk about a missed opportunity. I can't bear it.

[A]

Ha. Nice one. Obviously, I love a good pun as much as anyone, Teddy, but Margaret Stieff was from Germany, where the word for stuffed animals was actually auge stuff. Der tierra.

[B]

Oh, I'll just stick with stuffies then. Thank you.

[A]

Right, but here's something interesting. Margaret's stuffed animals, or Auge Staftere, were nothing like the stuffed animals we have today. Her stuffed animal was actually used as a pin cushion.

[B]

Yikes. Why would anyone stick pins in a soft, cuddly stuffed animal?

[A]

Actually, this stuffed elephant wasn't cuddly at all. Margaret purposely stuffed it with a material that isn't squishy so the pins wouldn't poke through the other side and hurt someone. Smartypants, can you guess what material she used? Was it A, sand, B, pieces of rubber, or C, wood shavings? If you said C, you're correct.

[B]

I don't know if toys were made out of wood shavings. I'm pretty sure I would know. Get it.

[A]

Not your best joke, Teddy. Besides, you have to remember, Margaret wasn't trying to make a toy yet.

[B]

So whose big idea was it to turn stuffed pin cushions into toys?

[A]

Smarty pants, any ideas? Well, here's a hint. You're one of them. That's right. We have kids to thank for that. Margaret noticed that despite it not being very soft and cuddly, children were still playing with the elephant pincushion. So she started selling them as toys for the next six years. Today, thanks to mass production in six years, more than half a billion stuffed toys are sold in the US alone. But back in the 1880s, Marguerite was sewing each stuffed animal by hand. Smarty pants. True or false? In the time it took MARGUERITE to make one handmade stuffed animal, we could make 100,000 mass produced ones today. Did you say true? Because it is. In fact, it would have taken Margaret Stieff more than two years to make and sell the same number of stuffed animals that the US Sells in the time it takes you to listen to just one episode of who's Smarted?

[B]

Wow. If she walked into a Build a Bear, she'd probably lose her mind.

[A]

Oh, yeah. And just like real animals, stuffed animals have evolved over time. We went from wood shavings to horse hair and straw to all sorts of soft and semi soft materials like cotton wool pellets, and even bamboo.

[B]

I'm glad I'm not stuffed with bamboo. I'd be trying to eat myself.

[A]

Right, which is why I'm glad you're made out of polyester. But the truth is, there are hundreds of materials a stuffy could be stuffed with. And if you're curious what your favorite stuffed animal is stuffed with, there's actually a way to check. Have you ever noticed a little tag on your favorite stuffed animal? Go ahead and take a look. It might be hard to spot, but that tag will probably reveal the materials that are stuffing your buddy.

[B]

Hey, trusty, I've got a riddle for you.

[A]

Oh, boy, here we go. What is it?

[B]

Ever wondered what Marguerite Stife did for work?

[A]

What?

[B]

Stop.

[A]

Okay, moving on. You mentioned before, the teddy bear has been around for over 100 years, but how is that possible?

[B]

Well, I wear lots of sunscreen and I wash my face twice a day. I've also been using this moisturizer.

[A]

Huh? What are you talking about?

[B]

I'm explaining how my fur looks this good at my age. The secret is skincare.

[A]

No, no, I didn't mean you, Teddy. I meant teddies in general. And why are they called teddy bears.

[B]

Oh. The year was 1902. President Theodore Teddy Roosevelt decided to visit Mississippi for a hunting trip. A man named Hulk Collier guided the President through the wilderness. Collier was known for being the best hunter in the country, and he promised Roosevelt he'd be able to bag a bear. But when Roosevelt wasn't able to successfully hunt a single bear, Collier decided to help him out.

[A]

Oh boy. I don't like where this is going.

[B]

Me neither, but keep listening. Collier found a black bear cub and tied it to a tree.

[A]

Oh, I really don't like where this is going.

[B]

I know, I know. I didn't either. But keep listening. When Roosevelt saw the bear that Collier had caught and tied up for him to hunt, Roosevelt instead took pity on the baby bear and refused to kill it.

[A]

Thank goodness.

[B]

You're telling me. Newspapers across the United States spread the story of Teddy Roosevelt, the rough riding president who refused to kill a bear. On November 16, the Washington Post published a playful cartoon about the President's failed hunting trip.

[A]

Extry. Extry. Roosevelt spares the bear. Looks like Teddy is a softie.

[B]

It just so happened that one of the millions of people reading the cartoon was a candy shop owner and stuffed animal maker name to Morris Mitchdom. After reading about Teddy Roosevelt's hunting trip, Morris decided to make a stuffed bear dedicated to the President who wouldn't shoot a helpless bear. And that's how we got the first ever teddy bear.

[A]

Wow. That's a pretty cool origin story. But smarty pants, are you wondering what I'm wondering? If teddy bears were named after a US President, how did they become so popular around the world?

[B]

World?

[A]

The answer is right after this quick break. Now back to who Smarted Smartypants? Can you think of any famous stuffed animals? Go ahead, call some out. Uh huh huh. I heard some good ones. I'm not quite sure who Mrs. Miracle Pants is, but I like it. Teddy, can you name some famous stuffies?

[B]

Sure thing. Let's see, there's Paddington Bear, Teddy Ruxpin, Care Bear, Share Bear Cheer Bear. Lots of Huggin Bear Squishmallows, Hops Pluto, Fuzzy Wuzzy.

[A]

Wow. Nice job, Teddy. Good stuff, Good stuff. All of these stuffies have their own background stories, but for now, I want to focus on two of the oldest and most famous stuff stuffed animals of all time. See if you can guess who this is.

[B]

Oh bother.

[A]

Did you say Winnie the Pooh? That's right. English author A. A. Milne created Winnie the Pooh in 1926 based on a teddy bear owned by Christopher Robin Milne. His Real life son. The real life Winnie the Pooh was bought from Harrod's Department Store, a famous shop in London, in 1921.

[B]

Fun fact. Christopher chose the name Winnie after a black bear at the London Zoo, and Pooh after a family friend's pet swan.

[A]

I did not know that. But wait, if Winnie the Pooh was named after a black bear, why is he yellow? Did I stump you with that one, Teddy?

[B]

Nope. Even though a A. Milne is credited as the creator of Winnie the pooh, his illustrator, E.H. shepherd, was the one who created the bear's iconic look, which he based on his son's Teddy Bear Growler.

[A]

Wow, Teddy, you are just stuffed with knowledge and cotton. Moving on. Winnie the Pooh wasn't the only famous stuffed animal originating from the U.K. in fact, he wasn't even the first. In 1921, before A.A. milne created Winnie the Pooh, Marjorie Williams published a children's book book that you may have heard of. Any guesses, smarty pants? Ooh, ooh.

[B]

I know, I know.

[A]

I know you know, Teddy. I want to see if the smarty pants can guess. I'll give you a hint, Smarty pants. It's not a bear, but a rabbit.

[B]

Ooh, I've got another hint. It's a rabbit made of velveteen.

[A]

Um, that's not really a hint. You kind of just gave him the answer.

[B]

No, I didn't.

[A]

Okay, so what's the answer?

[B]

Why, it's the Velveteen Rabbit. Oh, yeah, I guess I did give it away, huh?

[A]

That's okay. I still love you. In fact, that might be the reason. We can talk to the smarty pants together.

[B]

Oh, yeah, go on, tell them.

[A]

Trusty Margaret Stife might have been the one who invented stuffed animals. And Teddy Roosevelt might have been the inspiration for teddy bears. But Marjorie Williams story about the velveteen rabbit is the birthplace for the idea that if you really love a stuffed animal for a long, long time, that stuffed animal becomes real.

[B]

Aw, what a great concept. Even if it might not really be true.

[A]

Well, you're here now, Teddy, and I just love snuggling with you, Trusty.

[B]

Trusty, Eh? I'll just let him sleep. Nighty night, Smarties.

[A]

A soft and cuddly shout out to Lachi and Ollie on the Kapiti Coast. New Zealand. I hear you love listening in the car. And we're happy to hear New Zealand get a shout out. Well, here's another one just for you. Thanks for listening and learning together as a smarty family. This episode Stuffed Animals was written by Kira Wallace and voiced by Heather Simse and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Hahn, who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room Studios. Our associate producer is Max Kamaski. The theme song is by Brian Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis, who's Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.