Why are they called Teddy Bears?

Forever Ago

Lemonada Media

History, Kids & Family, Education For Kids

4.4 • 5.3K Ratings

🗓️ 18 March 2026

⏱️ 22 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Do you have a favorite stuffed animal? Maybe it’s a unicorn, or an axolotl, or a classic stuffed bear. Whatever it is, you can thank a former U.S. President for helping make stuffies a thing. Join Joy and co-host Luke as they learn about the origins of the Teddy Bear and find out about a stuffed possum that should’ve been the next big toy craze, but never caught on. Plus another round of First Things First.Click here to read a transcript of this episode. Want to support the show? Join Smarty Pass to listen to ad-free episodes or donate! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Brains on Universe
0:04.0	Joy, I think I finally got Hermie the Elephant's trunk just right.
0:12.0	Luke, you nailed it! That's the most perfect plushy I've ever seen!
0:17.0	Most people would think to buy peanuts for their pet elephant's birthday, but Hermie
0:22.4	the elephant who lives in my closet is no ordinary pet. He deserves something special, like a tiny
0:28.4	stuffed version of himself. What do you think of the stuffy I made? Is that a plushy can opener?
0:35.3	Yes, I'm naming it Candice.
0:38.2	Who knew a can opener could be so cuddly?
0:40.6	Me? I did. I knew it, Luke. Because I sleep with one every night. How do you think Hermie got so obsessed with them in the first place? My influence is powerful.
0:50.2	Okay, so we've got Candice the can opener, a tiny stuffed elephant version of Hermie.
0:55.2	What about a teddy bear?
0:56.5	Teddy bears are the stuffed animal.
0:59.3	Yeah, why is that? Why not a stuffed bunny or cat or axolado?
1:03.4	And what's with the name Teddy?
1:05.3	Well, the teddy bear's fame is all thanks to a couple of toy makers and an American president.
1:11.2	Whoa, a president sounds like an excellent podcast topic.
1:15.0	Ooh, that just inspired another plushy idea.
1:18.9	Let me guess. A stuffed microphone?
1:20.7	I was thinking of a plushy microphone stand.
1:24.9	Always thinking outside the box.
1:26.6	Well, you know, they don't call me Joy Outside of the Box
1:28.9	thinker Dolo for nothing. You're listening to Forever Ago from Brains on Universe. I'm your host, Joy Dolo,
	...

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