Plushies are so much more than simple playthings for children or storytelling partners. And if you think their story begins with the classic tale of President Teddy Roosevelt, I’m here to tell you right now that you’re mistaken.
Stuffed toys boast a long, colorful past, and they are much cooler than you think. Here are 9 fascinating facts that will prove that your unassuming plushies deserve far more respect than you currently give.
Ancient Plushies Weren’t So Plush But Still Warmed Children’s Hearts
Long before robust machinery mass-produced plushies, people used to make plushies lovingly by hand in ancient Rome, Egypt, and Greece.
While the elite bought their children smooth and detailed animal carvings of wood and ivory, less affluent families had to make do with the readily available materials at home in order to create children’s toys.
The ingenious parents stitched simple animal forms using cloth or old jute and grain sacks, and then they filled them with straw, reeds, or scraps of fabric.
These humble creations may have lacked the pillowy softness of today’s designs, but the children could hug them close and feel comfort, joy, and a sense of security that no cold, ornate carving could ever provide.
In essence, those simple plushies born out of resourcefulness and deep parental affection are the true ancestors of the stuffed toys we know today.
The First Commercial Plushie Was Not a Bear But an Elephant
If you ask people about the history of plushies, I bet most folks would immediately recall the iconic story of President Theodore Roosevelt and how the classic American teddy bear came to be.
While that tale might be true, the first plush toy made for the market wasn’t actually a bear, and it definitely didn’t start in the US but somewhere else entirely. That honor belongs to Margarete Steiff, a humble seamstress in Germany.
In 1880, Margarete lovingly stitched a charming little felt elephant that was initially intended to serve as a pincushion and a child’s toy. She made eight of these and her toys flew off the shelves.
By 1902, her nephew Richard joined her thriving company, and thanks to his dedication, his aunt’s little felt elephant grew into a collection of animals, including dogs, monkeys, and bears. It was also Richard who designed and patented the jointed plush bear, Bär 55 PB.
3,000 Plush Bears Sailed Across the Atlantic to America
If you didn’t know about the origins of the American teddy bear, the story began with an act of compassion and admiration. In 1902, Morris Michtom was captivated by a Washington Post editorial cartoon showing President Theodore Roosevelt sparing a cub’s life during a hunting trip.
Deeply moved by this display of kindness, Michtom was inspired to craft two small cuddly bears and displayed them in his candy shop window with a simple sign: “Teddy’s bear.”
As it turned out, so many people were just as moved by the story and yearned for a plush companion of their own. This massive demand for plushies also paved the way for the establishment of Ideal Novelty and Toy Co.
But because there weren’t enough teddy bears, businessman Hermann Berg, who had seen Steiff’s toys at the Leipzig Toy Fair, placed an order for 3,000 of their plush bears to be sent across the Atlantic to meet the soaring US demand.
Black Mourning Bears Stitched the Hearts Broken By the Titanic
When the Titanic sank in 1912, Steiff commemorated the tragic event by creating the Titanic Mourning Bear fashioned from somber black mohair with dark eyes set against red felt backing to make it look as though it had been crying.
Only half a thousand of the Titanic Mourning Bears were made, and they were exclusively for England, where the tragedy had the most profound impact. Naturally, very few of these bears have survived to this day, but they are among the most revered plush toys in history.
Both the rarity and profound history of these plushies translate into incredible value, as seen on July 1, 2023, when one was sold for $250,000 at an auction.
Plush Bears Accompanied Soldiers in WWI
The quiet, comforting role of plush toys stretched far past the solemn memorials for the Titanic. As fathers and sons prepared to face the unimaginable horrors of war, teary-eyed women and anxious children would lovingly tuck in tiny plushies into the soldiers’ breast pockets. These little companions served as good luck charms, emblems of love, and tangible reminders of hope and promises.
Winnie the Pooh Was a Plushie Inspired by a Real Bear
I think we all know who Winnie the Pooh is. He is the sweet, bumbling star of one of the world’s most famous children’s books and the favorite childhood plushie of the author’s son. But did you know the plushie was inspired by a real-life bear and was even a girl to boot?
Her name was Winnipeg, named after the hometown of her owner, who was a kind-hearted Canadian soldier. Affectionately nicknamed “Winnie,” she served as the Canadian Expeditionary Force mascot. When she wasn’t performing tricks in exchange for condensed milk and apples, she was either playing or posing for photos with the soldiers.
Since Winnie’s owner was summoned to the grueling trenches of France, Winnie found a new home at the London Zoo, where her antics and docile nature made her an instant darling of the children, including Christopher Robin.
The World’s Biggest Plushies
The current Guinness World Record for the largest plushie belongs to Xonita, a brown teddy bear charmingly dressed in pink and named in honor of its Mexican hometown.
Measuring 19.41 meters long and weighing nearly 4.4 tonnes, it took three months to assemble the gigantic plush. Xonita made her debut at the local stadium in Xonacatlán on April 28, 2019, and recently made a triumphant return to Mi Xona Fest.
Before Xonita bagged the title, her predecessor was a whimsical 55-meter-long pink rabbit that sprawled across Colleto Fava Hill in Italy. But unlike Xonita, which was crafted using the same materials as commercially available plushies, the woolly pink bunny was stuffed with grass so that it could gently fade into nature.
October 28th Is National Plushie Day
We all know and observe World Teddy Bear Day on September 9th, but the world of plush toys is far too diverse for just one animal. That is exactly why National Plushie Day emerged on October 28th so that our non-bear companions will not be overlooked.
So whether your favorite plushie is a croissant or an axolotl, we can celebrate the fact that love and comfort can be found in any plush form.
Magellan T. Bear Traveled Farther than His Legendary Namesake
I’m sure you’ve learned about Ferdinand Magellan from history class, but have you heard of his plush successor, Magellan T. Bear? He is arguably the most decorated plush traveler ever.
Magellan didn’t just tag along with astronauts as their mascot, but he also served as the official “education specialist” aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery for the STS-63 mission in February 1995.
The adventurous bear’s itinerary also includes orbiting the Earth and attending the U.S. Space Camp, as well as making a special trip to the South Pole and flying on the inaugural Boeing 777 flight.
Finally, after inspiring countless kids across the globe, Magellan T. Bear retired from his adventurous career in 1998, and his devoted guardians, Penny Wiedeke and Jerry Williams, presented him to the National Air and Space Museum, where he now rests as a soft, permanent tribute to the power of curiosity and education.
Thanks to Magellan’s pioneering success, NASA has proudly continued the warm tradition of bringing more space plushies on their missions.
Final Words
So there you have it! Nine interesting facts that prove plushies are much more than simple children's toys or room decor. They have also served as silent anchors of hope during times of immense grief and chaos on the battlefield, as well as tangible reminders of love and heartfelt promises. Plushies have definitely come a long way!
So which of these fun facts blew your mind the most? Or perhaps you have a fun fact of your own to share? Jot it down in the comments section below!
