The Story of Billy Possum

"The Teddy Bear became a very popular toy during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency. When he left office in 1909, toymakers were concerned that Teddy bear sales would drop off, so they wanted to come up with something new. The new president William Taft was known to like possum -to eat, that is. When Taft was presented with a plush opossum toy at an Atlanta banquet (after he ate one), toy manufacturers were inspired."

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