Huge Teddy Bear

Any child that has not had the pleasure of having a huge teddy bear

, is at a distinct disadvantage to those that have. A huge teddy bear has occupied the place of the perfect friend and comforter since 1902 when teddy bear's were first created. For the child (now an adult) that can't tap into the nostalgia of that soft toy, it's nothing short of tragic.

When adults see displays of huge teddy bears in a toy shop or in an online store, they are continually attracted to them, trying to recreate an experience or sensation that has become lost over time. There is no denying soft toys are an extremely important toy for children of all ages. So much so, that experience with them is more often than not, carried into adulthood. Some soft toys are so cherished, in fact, many children refuse to part with them no matter how battered and worn they become.

Just about every animal one can imagine is now replicated in a soft, miniature form. Despite the fact that some fine details may have been omitted in the quest to make the desired image, that doesn't dissuade anyone from going on to purchase their favorite. The key to any soft toys attraction is its facial features, closely followed by the feel of its 'fur' or skin and then the stuffing. When teddy bear creator Margarete Steiff first made felt pincushion animals to give as gifts, the children of the mother's they were intended for, fell so in love with their feel and size, they went on to claim them for themselves.

The key to the characterization of the huge teddy bear must fall squarely on the shoulders of Steiff's nephew Richard. While his primary role in the Steiff company was to develop and design new toy lines, from the beginning he was fascinated by the possibilities of a soft toy bear. As a result, he spent many hours trying to design one that would be attractive to children. To this end, he made numerous sketches of bears he saw at the Stuttgart Zoo in Germany, in addition to those he saw at circuses and animal shows. His early models, in fact, were far too realistic frightening rather than reassuring for the young people for which they were intended.

Near the end of the 19th century, Richard Steiff designed several bears that were meant to be ridden or pulled as they were positioned on all fours and set on cast-iron wheels. There were also bears produced that stood upright on their hind legs. And, despite being covered in mohair plush, they were not very huggable given some had internal metal frames and tightly stuffed woodwool making them feel too solid. In 1902, Steiff came up with a string-jointed movable animal which included a bear. It was the first such toy in the world

huge teddy bear

huge teddy bear

Copyright Shelley Vassall, 2010. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.

Huge Teddy Bear

By: Shelley Vassall

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