Margarete Steiff – Making children's dreams come true

Founder, Margarete Steiff, was a remarkable woman in many respects. Exceptional for the time, she fought for her place in life as a young girl, against many odds, and became an independent entrepreneur.

With a pincushion in the shape of a small fabric elephant, she wrote the first chapter of an unprecedented success story that is still being written today, after more than 140 years. Thanks to the loving dedication and quality awareness of all employees, the personal history of Margarete Steiff and Margarete Steiff GmbH remain inseparably linked to this day.

Richard Steiff the father of the Teddy bear

In 1902 Richard Steiff, Margarete's nephew, designed a toy bear made of mohair called Bear 55PB.

Inspired by American President Theodore Roosevelt, the initially nameless bear received its name Teddy, which is still known today. Roosevelt refused to shoot a tethered bear during a hunting trip. The incident was captured by cartoonist Clifford K. Berryman and published in the Washington Post.
This was the best publicity for the Steiff Teddy bear - the teddy boom began and the Steiff brand achieved worldwide recognition.