The "Snit Bear" sits in the Atlanta Braves dugout before a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Saturday, June 22, 2024, in New York. "Snit Bear" has become a presence on the team's bench ...

Some were even scary.That all changed after Teddy Roosevelt, an avid big game hunter, refused to shoot a bear tied to a tree. The story inspired many and a cuter stuffed bear was created.

The teddy bear, however, has never ceased to be popular. Today, the stuffed animal remains a popular gift and the industry was valued at about $6.4 billion in 2022. It’s also the state toy of ...