On February 15, 1903, toy store owner and inventor Morris
Michtom placed two stuffed bears in his shop window,
advertising them as Teddy bears.

Michtom had earlier petitioned President Theodore Roosevelt
for permission to use his nickname, Teddy.

The president agreed and, before long, other toy manufacturers
began turning out copies of Michtom’s stuffed bears, which
soon became a national childhood institution.

Morris Michtom
(September 12, 1869 – July 21, 1938)

President Theodore Roosevelt (1898 – 1919)