Teddy Bear (AKA Teddy Roosevelt) pattern

Manufacturer United States Glass Co. (American (Pittsburgh, PA), 1891 - 1962)

Date1907

MediumNon-flint clear pressed glass

Dimensions1 1/8 x 10 1/8 x 7 5/8 in. (2.9 x 25.7 x 19.4 cm)

ClassificationsDecorative Arts, Glass

Credit LineGift of James W. Jung, Sacajawea #90. In the Iowa Quester Glass Collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberUM2012.346

Status

On view

Collections

CultureAmerican

Label TextThe ever-iconic Teddy Bear traces its origins back to a 1902 bear-hunting trip in the state of Mississippi, attended by US President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. As the trip carried on, President Roosevelt was the only member of the group not to have killed a bear, so his attendants decided to find and tie a bear to a tree, assuring that the president would be able to kill a bear. When Roosevelt was directed to shoot the bear he refused, claiming it was unsportsmanlike. This story was depicted as a political cartoon a few months later where it soon became known across the nation. Soon after the story became well known, a candy shop in New York City began selling stuffed bears which they called “Teddy’s Bear” as a reference to both the story and Roosevelt’s dedication to fairness, unintentionally giving rise to one of America’s most famous toys. Toys have always played a vital role in childhood, offering a blend of entertainment, education, and development. From simple dolls and wooden blocks to the elaborate Victorian toys that marked a new era in childhood, the evolution of toys reflects the changing social, cultural, and technological landscape of the United States. https://www.nps.gov/thrb/learn/historyculture/storyofteddybear.htm

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