National Teddy Bear Day 2020: Celebrating Our Most Iconic Bears
by James P. Outreach & PR ExecutiveWe all have fond memories of our first days at school, the
sweets that dominated our youth, and some of our fashion faux pas – whatever
happened to that purple and green shell suit? But the one constant for most
children was their trusted teddy.
Whether you woke up with Paddington Bear, Teddy Ruxpin or
some other cuddly toy, most of us can recall our childhood favourites. We’ve
taken them to school with us, left them behind in the playground, on the bus,
and had tantrums when we’ve forgotten to bring them home from our grandparents’
house.
As the nation prepares to celebrate National Teddy Bear
Day on 9th September, we take a look back at some of the iconic teddy bears
through history, exploring how our favourite characters have made the jump from
the big screen to the cuddly toy that we snuggle up to when we head to bed.
1. Winnie-the-Pooh
Winnie-the-Pooh, or Pooh Bear as he is also fondly labelled,
has been around for almost 100 years, having been created by author A.A Milne
back in 1926. The Hundred Acre Wood inhabitant who has a yearning for all
things honey is the lifelong friend of Christopher Robin and is one of the UK’s
most treasured teddy bears. A classic in teddy bear circles, he’ll often be
seen alongside fellow characters Eeyore and Piglet.
2. Rupert Bear
From simple origins – a comic strip in the Daily Express in
1920 – Rupert Bear went on to become a staple of children’s culture when The
Adventures of Rupert Bear TV series launched in 1970. Known for his
eloquent accent, Rupert is also a style
icon, thanks to his yellow checked trousers and matching scarf paired with
a fetching red jumper that he wore for all of his adventures. He’ll celebrate
100 years in November.
3. Care Bears
If you were born in the 80s, you probably know all about
Care Bears, our cuddly friends who lived in the clouds. The original line up
featured just 10 bears, but multiple relaunches of the cult show have seen more
than 30 different bears introduced.
The plush toys were developed with feelings emblazoned on
their chests, with hearts, smiley faces, and rainbows indicating various
emotions.
4. Yogi Bear
The Jellystone Park native, based loosely around Yellowstone
National Park in the USA, first appeared on TV screens in America in 1958 as a
guest on The Huckleberry Hound Show, but such was his popularity
that just two years later the Yogi Bear and Friends show was spawned.
His ‘Hey, Hey, Hey’ catchphrase was voiced by Hollywood star Dan Akroyd when he
hit the big screen.
5. Paddington Bear
One of the most nostalgic bears in history, Paddington was
introduced to the world in 1958 in Michael Bond’s book A Bear Called
Paddington. With his customary blue duffle coat, Paddington arrived in
England from Peru and has been entertaining children through the decades with
his hapless adventures, getting into just as much trouble as Dennis the Menace.
The Adventures of Paddington TV series was launched
in January this year as Gen Z was brought up to speed on the wonders of this
furry friend.
6. Chiltern English
One of the original teddies, the Chiltern English teddy was
first launched in 1915 and continues to be a comfort for youngsters across the
United Kingdom. This classic can often be found in baby pushchairs on
walks to the park, and such is the sentiment towards them that they often fetch
three-figure sums at auction. Most people that own these vintage bears will
only know too well about repaired eye sockets and patchwork elements that have
helped them restore their childhood favourites.
7. SuperTed
SuperTed was a hit with 90s kids as he shared one of their
biggest fears – a fear of the dark. First appearing in a series of books,
SuperTed was adapted into a cartoon, becoming the first
British animated series to feature on the Disney Channel.
This everyday bear might have bypassed the history books
after being discarded in a toy factory, but a visit to Mother Nature resulted
in him receiving superpowers that allowed him to transform into SuperTed!
8. Brother Bear
This Disney animation bear has risen to fame since the
Millennium with the moral of the film drawing on brotherhood, and mutual
respect. A great lesson for children and adults alike, Brother Bear hit
our screens in 2003, with a sequel going direct to video in 2006. In the film
an Inuit boy called Kenai is transformed into a bear after seeking revenge when
his brother is killed by a bear. We’ll have to wait and see if Brother Bear
can stand the test of time and become a household name like Rupert and Winnie though.
So this National Teddy Bear Day, dig out your most cherished cuddly toys and
join the conversation on social channels using #TeddyBearDay. Reliving our
childhood will often bring up memories of various toys and gadgets, but when
you really home in on your most treasured moments, they’ll usually involve a
cuddly toy or teddy bear along the way.
Sources
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/10891/lot/27/
https://metro.co.uk/2014/07/15/7-things-you-didnt-know-about-superted-4799096/
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/teddy-bear-day/
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Created on Oct 8th 2020 09:13. Viewed 435 times.