Back in the early 1900s, a toy craze was born thanks to President Teddy Roosevelt—and it was downright cuddly. The now-iconic teddy bear took off like wildfire, becoming a must-have for kids across the country.
Seeing that success, a toy company figured lightning could strike twice. When William Howard Taft took office, they rolled out a brand-new presidential plush: the “Billy Possum.”
There was just one problem… kids didn’t exactly dream of hugging a possum.
While teddy bears became timeless childhood companions, Billy Possum quietly scampered off into obscurity. Turns out, not every presidential nickname is destined for the toy aisle.
Teddy bears Billy Possum Theodore Roosevelt William Howard Taft Toy history
