Margarete Steiff was diagnosed with paralysis but that did not stop her from being a successful person. Although she was disabled, she was a seamstress who worked for her sister. She became successful enough to have her own clothing business and begun employing people. One day, she was reading a magazine and saw a pattern of an elephant. From that she used felt to create pincushion that looked like an elephant. From here, she started her toy company and one can consider the elephant pincushion to be the first Steiff elephant.

The elephant has been a symbol for the Steiff Company as they also put it in the button as proof of authenticity. One of the most popular designs of the Steiff elephant is the elephant on wheels. Right now, the elephant has been recreated from its original pattern in the 1900s. The new version is a miniature and has cast iron wheels. Just like the original, it has gray mohair fur and wears a red felt saddle with gold details.

At the moment, the most expensive of the new Steiff stuffed animals is in a set called Elefantle and Teddy Bear. A Steiff elephant is included in recognition of Margarete’s humble beginnings. The plush toys included in this set are made of mohair, silk, gold ivory, diamonds, sapphire and onyx.