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The teddy bear, that iconic symbol of childhood, owes its existence to an act of kindness on the part of Theodore Roosevelt, the twenty-sixth president of the United States. On a 1902 hunting trip in Mississippi, Roosevelt's hosts trapped a bear and offered Roosevelt the chance to shoot it. Roosevelt refused, saying that it would be unsportsmanlike to shoot a helpless animal. This incident became the basis for a political cartoon called "Drawing the Line in Mississippi". Morris Michtom, a store owner in Brooklyn, saw the cartoon and was inspired to create a stuffed toy bear, which he named "Teddy" after Roosevelt.

As portrayed in a series of later cartoons, the bear was small, cute, and cuddly. The cartoon image inspired Morris Michtom, the store owner, to create and market small, stuffed bears as children's toys. His wife was already producing stuffed bears for the store, so the apparatus was already in place to market a toy connected with the popular President.

In order to request permission to use his nickname as the toy's name, Michtom sent a sample bear to President Roosevelt. The toy bear began his trip into public awareness once President Roosevelt had agreed. From the star these stuffed bears were proven to be popular. A 'Teddy Bear' sign was hung in Mr. Michtom's store window and the term 'Teddy Bear' became the ever familiar name of these stuffed animals.

Within several years, other shops started selling stuffed animals. These were sold all over Europe and the U.S. A lot of books, media, and music at that time made references to toy bears. As the years went by, the teddy bear became more popular as a collectible, of great value to those who collect toys, vintage dolls, and antique dolls.

A number of toy bears are high in value. For instance, a toy bear that's woven partially from gold and made by the original manufacturer as a commemoration of the toy's 125th anniversary is on the market for $84,000. Michtom's company, which marketed the original teddy bear, the Ideal Novelty and Toy Co., is still in business now.

Collecting toy bears doesn't require investing thousands of dollars. Vintage toy bears can be found at garage sales, flea markets, online auctions, and special collector's venues. Besides its status as a collectible, this toy bear, named in honor of a popular President, still makes a great friend for young children.