I know Taft tried to popularise eating possums… or at least, he had possum served in the White House.
But even though I’ve sold collectible bears, I’ve never heard of Billy Possum.
Funny thing, though….
Theodore Roosevelt inspired a toymaker to name a stuffed bear the “Teddy Bear” because he refused to shoot a tied up bear.
Stories vary as to whether it was a grown bear… some pictures show a cub, but that’s probably embellishment.
There’s also argument as to whether the stuffed bear was created then, or, as I believe, already in existence, but given an enduring name.
In any case the great hunter spared the life of the bear, which was immortalised in a toy.
Having a toy named after you because you EAT them doesn’t inspire quite the same warm fuzzies…
especially as a bedtime story for children.
“Good night, little Bobby… I hope you dream of possum stew.”
I know Taft tried to popularise eating possums… or at least, he had possum served in the White House.
But even though I’ve sold collectible bears, I’ve never heard of Billy Possum.
Funny thing, though….
Theodore Roosevelt inspired a toymaker to name a stuffed bear the “Teddy Bear” because he refused to shoot a tied up bear.
Stories vary as to whether it was a grown bear… some pictures show a cub, but that’s probably embellishment.
There’s also argument as to whether the stuffed bear was created then, or, as I believe, already in existence, but given an enduring name.
In any case the great hunter spared the life of the bear, which was immortalised in a toy.
Having a toy named after you because you EAT them doesn’t inspire quite the same warm fuzzies…
especially as a bedtime story for children.
“Good night, little Bobby… I hope you dream of possum stew.”