 Bear makers
The German maker Steiff was the very first bear manufacturer and is famous throughout the world. The founder Margarete Steiff started a dressmaking business in 1877. Little did she know that when she began making stuffed felt pincushions as a hobby, it would change the course of bear history!
By 1893, the pincushions had become so popular that Steiff changed its business to toy manufacturer. Margarete’s nephews also worked for the company, helping its reputation to grow and grow. Then in 1902 the first Steiff bear was born. A hundred years on, Steiff still produce the most collectable and loved jointed teddy bears in the world.
In Britain, the earliest bears were made by established toy makers, like JK Farnell and WJ Terry, who caught onto the teddy craze. Other companies like Dean’s, Chad Valley and Chiltern began making bears during the ban on German imports during Word War I. The most famous British maker is Merrythought, founded in 1930 and known for its character ranges such as Bingie and Cheeky.
Bear makers across the globe specialised in different types of bears reflecting their country of origin – from the very first teddy bear in America, to koalas in Australia. Nowadays, many bears are made in the Far East, even if the company is located elsewhere.
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