History and Cultural Significance of Stuffed Animals
She sits on my bed. She’s small and soft, with big ears and warm brown eyes. I named her Sunny when I got her– I was only six years old and Sunny seemed like a fitting name for a tiny yellow dog. Miraculously, I’ve had Sunny for 14 years now. Sunny sleeps with me every night, tucked under the covers. It’s a comfort to have her there.
Sunny is a stuffed animal.
When we think of rudimentary objects from childhood, often our toys and dolls come to mind. Some of us were drawn to Barbies– others preferred Lincoln Logs or Legos. Stuffed animals, arguably the most common toys children own, are prominent for their emotional weight, significance, and rich history. These soft objects that employ both comfort and security have been around for much longer than you might think.
Stuffed animals and plush toys date back to Roman times, some even dating back to 300 B.C. (License 2 Play, 2016) For centuries, humans have been replicating animals in art, carvings, and toys. Stuffed animals invoke creativity, offering children an opportunity to use their imagination and practice responsibility by keeping their dollies nearby.
Margarete Steiff is largely credited with the popularization of stuffed animals during the 19th century. Steiff, a victim of Polio, was left paralyzed in the legs. Despite her disability, Steiff went to sewing school and became a seamstress. When felt was popularized in Europe after being brought from Asia, Steiff thought it would make a great fabric for children’s toys given its soft texture and warmth. (Bunnies by the Bay, 2021). After years of crafting stuffed animals for friends and family, Steiff opened her own shop and found huge success. The Steiff company, famous for its quality and attention to detail, still thrives today.
Unlike other toys, stuffed animals are unique in the lack of gender stereotyping. It’s evident that toys use gender-specific marketing and design. It’s a cliche we know too well: boys play with trucks and girls play with dolls. Stuffed animals, however, lack this defining characteristic. Unlike baby dolls, which are often exclusively gifted to young girls to foster ideas of motherhood and responsibility, a Teddy bear is just a Teddy bear. They do not suggest a difference between the abilities or roles that boys and girls take on.
A huge caveat of stuffed-animal-culture is the Beanie Babies craze of the 2000s. Ty, a company founded by H. Ty Warner, wanted to put an affordable yet desirable stuffed animal on the market. How did they achieve this? By “retiring” Beanie Babies and taking them off the market after a limited period of time. This marketing strategy set Ty aside, turning stuffed animals into an exciting investment rather than a mere toy or gift. Beanie Babies, if rare enough, still go for over $10,000 today on eBay.
Although we associate stuffed animals with childhood, recent trends have shown that our love for these objects does not disappear once we grow up. Created in 2017, the extremely popular brand, Squishmallows, reaches a wider audience than just kids. Squishmallows are “super soft and huggable,” with over 1000 different characters to collect. Popular amongst college students, Squishmallows have sparked a revival for the intrinsic love of stuffed animals.
Stuffed animals represent a fun world of imagination, creativity, and love. These toys offer a sense of comfort and stability, regardless of how old you are. Nostalgic by nature, our stuffies are special and interesting to consider in a larger cultural context. Think of your stuffed animals– what were their names? Did they have personalities? What types of animals did you have? Have you “grown out” of them or do you keep them around? Regardless of those answers, stuffed animals have a rich history and niche relevance to our culture. Next time you stop by a 7/11 or RiteAid, check out the aisle of stuffed animals. Maybe now, you’ll grab one, and remember that you’re never too old to enjoy the simple joy of a new toy.
Instagram: @katiemckechnie
Sources:
https://license-2-play.com/wholesale-toys/read-news/history-of-stuffed-toys/
https://bunniesbythebay.com/blogs/how-to-delight/the-delightful-history-of-stuffed-animals