Kushi Week #15 – The Invention of Stuffed Animals
Stuffed animals, which, today, are one of the most common toys for young children, were invented by a disabled German seamstress in 1902. She is considered the first person to sew stuffed animals for children, contrasting the more popular wood and metal toys of the day. She was born into a middle class family; her father was a building contractor while her mother was a stay at home mom. When she was a child, she contracted polio, which permanently paralyzed her legs and left her with chronic pain in her right arm. Despite this pain, she took needlework classes, learning to sew and implementing this knowledge while working in her sisters’ dressmaking shop (which she was employed in for eight years, starting in 1862). In 1877, Steiff opened a ready to wear felt clothing business.
Her move to stuffed animals came from a magazine in which she saw a pattern for an elephant made out of fabric, which inspired her to make pincushions in this shape for the seamstresses she employed in her felt clothing business. As this pincushion became more popular with their children, Steiff created a new family business, transitioning from apparel to children’s toys. Around 1880, Steiff coined the phrase “only the best is good enough for children” to advertise her stuffed animals, and they became very popular in Germany. (Today, her company is called Margaret Steiff GmbH.)
In 1902, participating in the family business she started, her nephew designed a stuffed animal of a bear, Bear 55 PB, which was the first plush toy bear with jointed arms and legs, the iconic teddy bear design. Her nephew presented this at the Leipzig toy fair in 1904, and an American businessman placed an order for 3,000, leading to the toy’s unprecedented sales in America. In its sales in America, it was called a “teddy bear,” after Teddy Roosevelt. The toy’s success at this toy fair propelled Steiff’s company to international status, and even after her death at 61 (due to pneumonia), Steiff’s company was kept alive by her nephews and relatives.
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Hi Kushi! Your analysis on the history of stuffed animals was interesting because I’ve never considered the history of stuffed animals past Theodore Roosevelt being the inspiration for the name “Teddy Bear.” I’m surprised that stuffed animals were only invented in the nineteenth century, because I’ve always perceived them as a classic toy that has lasted and appealed to children for decades. Margaret Steiff's story is also really inspiring, and it shows that even with obstacles like polio and chronic pain, cannot hinder someone from following their passions. I am also surprised that her story is never discussed in our education system, especially because she was the inventor of a valuable and popular toy that still makes millions today. Similarly to Ruth Handler, the inventor of Barbie, Steiff’s story goes undiscussed and it shows how important it is to acknowledge the inventors who created popular household products today.
ReplyDeleteHey Kushi! Stuffed animals are an integral part of many childhoods, and many of my favorite memories take place at Build a Bear, constructing and dressing my animals. Even then, I had never considered the history behind how they came to be until now. I find it inspiring how despite being disabled, with intense pain in her right arm, she managed to create such a revolutionary product. The fact that the first teddy bear was named after Theodore Roosevelt is really interesting, because it shows the extent of influence politics had on every aspect of early life, and how this carries out in today's society. Steiff's story is one of women empowerment, and it is impressive how she was able to singlehandedly open and operate an extremely successful worldwide business in a society that hindered female accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteHi Kushi! I never really thought about the history behind stuffed animals, so your blog was really interesting. I always assumed the Teddy Bear must have been invented and manufactured in America considering the name being derived from Theodore Roosevelt (that much I knew before coming into the blog), but finding out that it was actually made by a disabled German woman and brought over by an American businessman is really fascinating. I think it’s really neat that after over a century, despite many newer companies with monopolies over the toy business coming into the playing field, Steiff’s company was preserved and still functions today. Your blog was really insightful and was a super interesting read, great job!
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