Teddy bears were invented in 1902, as a gift for President Roosevelt’s wife.

Teddy bears were invented by Morris Michtom in 1902. Michtom was a Russian-born immigrant who had settled in the United States with his family and worked as a candy maker. His wife, Rose, had a stuffed bear she liked to play with, which led to him making one of his own.

Michtom named the bear after then-President Theodore Roosevelt. Michtom saw that there was an opportunity to sell his toy and began selling them at local fairs. However, it wasn’t until the early 1920s that teddy bears became popular among children.