Stuffed animal

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For preserved dead animals, see taxidermy.

A stuffed animal is toy animal stuffed with straw, beans, cotton or other similar materials. Some stuffed animals are very old – home made cloth dolls stuffed with straw go back to at least the 1830s, perhaps much older. Stuffed animals are also known as plush toys (U.S English) and soft toys or cuddly toys (British English). The most well known type of stuffed toy is undoubtedly the teddy bear.

Stuffed animals in the past were used for random stuffing of the evacuated skins of hunted animals. The phrase is still sometimes used to refer to examples of taxidermy. However, with modern technology it is now possible to produce them with synthetic materials. For this reason, plush toy or plushie (U.S. English) or soft toy (British English) may be more appropriate names for modern synthetic stuffed animals.

The first commercial concern to create stuffed toys is apparently the Steiff company, founded in 1880 in Giengen an der Brenz, Germany.

Among the most popular types of classic stuffed animals are teddy bears and sock monkeys.

[edit] History

It is known for on tomb paintings in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamian civilizations that stuffed animals existed in those societies for religious purposes, and undoubtedly for human play as well.^{[citation needed]}

In medieval Europe, stuffed animals were often used in mystery plays to represent Biblical animals, such as the serpent in the Garden of Eden and the lions in the Book of Daniel.^{[citation needed]} During the Industrial Revolution in Europe from c. 1750 onwards, the toy industry began to emerge.^{[citation needed]} During the 19th century, the concept of the stuffed animal (known as a soft toy in Britain) as an entertainment product took off, with commercial enterprises such as the Steiff company being established to produce children's toys.

In the 20th century, anthropomorphism became highly popular among people in urban communities, who were often isolated from contact with real animals. Hard toys remain very popular due to the psychological desire towards a comfort object.

[edit] Commercial manufacturers

• Ty
• Steiff
• Gund
• Russ Berrie
• Princess Soft Toys
• Build-A-Bear Workshop
• Ganz (toy company) (Webkinz)
• Xoddo
• Sigikid

[edit] Image gallery

Bunny stuffed animal, with headphones.

Popular stuffed animals include common domestic pets such as rabbits and hamsters.

This is a stuffed animal of a bear cub.

This is a stuffed animal hippo.

This is a plush teddy bear.

Pig holding a Kinder Surprise chocolate