Bing Bears first appeared around 1907 when the teddy bear boom was at its height. They were the first real competitors for Steiff and were actually taken to court by Steiff in 1908 for using the button in the ear which was Steiff's own trademark. Eventually Bing had to use the words GBN tag under the arm. Bings often have a silver button with GBN set in a diamond on it.

The company was set up by two brothers, Adolf and Ignaz Bing. The full name of the company was Nuremberg Spielwarenfabrik Gebruder Bing. They also produced kitchenware and other toys.

Early bears are made of mohair, have the silver metal GBN Tag under the arm, small, wideapart ears, and small facial features. Bing was also famous for dressed and undressed mechanical bears.