• Knusper@feddit.de
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    10
    ·
    1 year ago

    I have the same question, but reverse: Why are we making teddy bears bear-shaped?

      • Knusper@feddit.de
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        1 year ago

        Thanks, that perfectly explains why we decided to use an apex predator for our cuddly toys.

        • curiosityLynx@beehaw.org
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          5
          ·
          edit-2
          1 year ago

          Teddy Roosevelt opted not to shoot a bear that someone caught for him to shoot (because it would have been like shooting fish in a barrel; iirc the bear was immobilised). The press at the time got hold of this story, turned it into a story about pity/mercy (neither applied, the bear was killed anyway, just not by getting shot by Roosevelt) and an enterprising individual made a toy based on it, which became more popular than expected.

          The popularity of the toy was also a boost to Roosevelt’s popularity, which is why at least one presidential candidate at the time tried to get something similar going for himself, but possums just aren’t cuddly and a copy of a popular thing rarely manages to reach the heights of popularity the thing it tries to copy got.

          • Knusper@feddit.de
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            1 year ago

            Huh, thanks. I didn’t think there to be an actual answer. I figured, it was just a shape that’s easy to manufacture and good for cuddling…