The Steiff Teddy bear turns 120 years old

Richard Steiff and the 55 PB

Richard Steiff was the favourite creative nephew of our founder Margarete. He attended the School of Arts and Crafts in Stuttgart and studied in England before joining the still small company in 1897. He was often found in what was then Nill's zoo, where he was inspired by the brown bears and drew them. From these drawings and sketches, Richard developed the world's first Teddy Bear with movable arms and legs in 1902, our "Bear 55 PB". The technical-sounding name was intended to be quite pragmatic: for he was 55 cm high, made of mohair plush and was movable.

Margarete was not convinced at first, but allowed Richard to exhibit the 55 PB at the Leipzig Toy Fair in 1903. There it initially attracted little attention until an American dealer saw the potential in the little plush bear with the moving arms and legs. In one fell swoop, he immediately ordered 3,000 bears. This is how our teddy bear began its world tour, which continues to this day.

Many children receive their teddy bear as a gift at birth.

Countless mothers and fathers, even grandmothers and grandfathers, keep their favourite Teddy bears from their childhood for the rest of their lives. The Teddy bears sometimes have nibbled ears or eyes, and yet they still remain the most beautiful Teddy bear in the world for you personally.

This is not surprising, after all, a Teddy bear is a loyal friend and companion for every child who is by their side on every adventure. He listens to every story and of course crawls under the covers when it's storming and thundering outside. When it's time to go to bed after long days, he falls asleep snuggled in your arms and is still there the next morning.

It is this special bond that we place so much value on. The innovative "Bear 55 PB" 120 years ago has grown into an uncountable number of favourite Teddy bears, who are more a reliable friend with their own character and personality than just a stuffed animal in children's lives.