Personally, I have never been in doubt about the singular importance of a Teddy Bear to a human life. My love affair with my Ted has endured from toddler to Senior Citizen, so you could assume bias - and be absolutely correct! However, if you will carefully peruse the ensuing list, you may be amazed to learn the heights and depths some bears have mastered - with total equilibrium, and a great sense of style.
Here then, are some of the most significant heroes of the past 108 years (Yes...seriously, that is truly how short the history of these magnificent creatures is!)
* 1903 Amy Johnson - aviatrix (female pilot) was the first female to fly from Great Britain to Australia in her plane 'Jason' - with her unnamed Teddy Bear as a mascot. (Name your plane and not your bear?...well!)
* 1912 A Teddy Bear is reported to have survived the sinking of the passenger ship 'Titanic' on her maiden voyage from England to New York when 1517 human lives were lost.
* c.1919 (After World War I) There is a widely held belief that some Teddy Bears were sacrificed in parachute 'trials', so as to save the lives of humans. Later, unsubstantiated reports are that these would eventually become known as the 'Ted Devils'. And this in turn, would lead to them being used in charity fund-raising efforts. Being dropped from a height, using old umbrella canopies or similar lightweight material, with competitions based on descent times. One intrepid Teddy Bear was sighted recently actually sky-diving! He was seen to be holding very tightly to the hand of his human 'jumper'.
* 1900's Sir John Betjeman - English poet and author not only took his teddy bear and best friend, Archibald Ormsby-Gore to Oxford with him, he also dedicated a poem to him, and then used him as the model for the bear Aloysius portrayed in 1945, in his book 'Brideshead Revisited' (later adapted for film and TV). How fitting...how absolutely perfect - that when Sir John died in 1984, it was with Archibald in his arms.
* 1930's Shirley Temple, actress (film and TV), author and public servant, began her career at three years old, and is reputed to have had one of the biggest Teddy Bear collections in the world. Shirley would have undoubtedly agreed with a quote from Peter Gray -"In a world where everyone seems to be larger and louder than yourself, it is very comforting to have a small, quiet companion."
* 1940's Unknown numbers of undoubtedly significant Teddy Bears did NOT survive World War II bombings throughout Europe. And I do not know of a single Jewish Teddy Bear who survived the holocaust and the horrors of concentration camps. Perhaps someone has a different story to share?
* 1957 Elvis Presley - famous American singer and film star sang one of his most popular songs (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - in the movie 'Loving You'. Elvis' best friend was a lady named Mabel (See later references to both Mabel and Elvis)
* 1964 Donald Campbell - British Speed Record-breaker - and unbeaten holder of both World Land and Water Speed records in the same year - was accompanied on his many attempts, including his triumphant 444 kph journey, by none other than his best friend, Mr. Whoppit. Tragically, they both died in 1967 at a speed of 478.9kph. Mercifully, it is said, they would not have had time to feel a thing.
* 1965 Walter Bonnati - Italian climber of renown - scaled the north face of the Matterhorn - one of the highest mountain in the Swiss Alps, with his Teddy Bear and best friend - Zissi - tucked snugly and safely in his backpack. Both survived to live on the tales of their adventures - maybe to this very day...but they would both be quite old now.
* 1980's On a personal note - once upon a time in a hospital not too far away (as I faced and then recovered from an operation), two deeply beloved Care Bears were brought to me by a small son and daughter - to "watch over me and keep me safe". And they did! (...and they never closed their eyes....not once!)
* 2006 A tragedy! Elvis Presley's best friend Mabel had gone to England to take part in a special show of significant best friends and toys of the rich and famous, when a guard dog apparently went berserk and damaged and destroyed a large number of the exhibits. Mabel did not survive.
* Some general observations - Teddy Bears have been seen at weddings - sitting in front pews on either side of the church; have been taken on honeymoons; have been taken by Kings and Princesses to occasions of State, and goodwill visits to faraway places. There are even some who have given their all for King and Country - courageously intercepting bullets intended for their loved ones. Then there is an endearing and enduring, rather famous bear in the Australian children's TV program 'Play School' (he was a leading light from the first episode in 1966) - and he is aptly named Big Ted, so as not to confuse him with Little Ted. An important note for 'globe-trotters' to remember is a rarely advertised fact that Teddy Bears can travel completely free on British Rail, The Indian Pacific - and almost all airlines. I cannot vouch for their full safety on 'Tiger' Airlines - sounds a little 'predatory'? Maybe someone has some first-hand experience on this question?
Can our gratitude to these loyal, loving and empathetic beings ever be overstated, when we weigh up their countless meaningful gifts of love to mankind? Clara Ortega says -
"When everyone else has let you down, there's always Ted."
© 2010 Christine Larsen - All Rights Reserved
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