QuickCheck: Was the teddy bear named after US president Theodore Roosevelt?

THERE are all kinds of things named after the 26th president of the United States, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, such as landmarks, aircraft carriers and even a species of freshwater fish.

However, is it true that he also famously inspired the naming of a popular stuffed toy beloved by people of all ages?

VERDICT

TRUE

In 1902, when Roosevelt was on a bear-hunting trip, a black bear was caught and tied to a tree, and he was asked to shoot it.

Roosevelt declined, saying it would be unsportsmanlike to shoot a defenceless animal.

This incident was depicted in a popular political cartoon by Clifford Berryman, which inspired candy shop owner Morris Michtom and his wife Rose (who made stuffed animals) to create a stuffed toy bear and dedicate it to the president.

They called it “Teddy’s Bear” and went on to mass-produce these bears.

References:

https://www.history.com/news/who-invented-the-teddy-bear

https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-did-the-teddy-bear-get-its-name