The Vision Behind Christopher Robin
Milne named the character Winnie-the-Pooh after a teddy bear owned by his son Christopher Robin Milne. Other toys owned be Milne's son were also incorporated into the story - Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo and Tigger. Two other characters Owl and Rabbit were created by Milne's imagination and the Gopher was added to the Disney version. Christopher Robin's toy bear is on display at the Main Branch of the New York Public Library in New York City.
Christopher Milne named his toy bear Winnie after a Canadian black bear he often saw at Lonson Zoo, and "Pooh" based on a swan he and his family met on holiday.