In fact, wealthy residents of these two regions were dressing in fashionable beaver fur long before European explorers discovered Oregon.

Beaver fur top hats were popular attire for the North American and European upper class.

[5] Prior to the beaver, Oregon State's mascot was an individual known as "Doc" Bell (1893–1928), a longtime member of the university's board of regents.

The early Benny Beaver "cartoon" icon/logo was created by famous graphic illustrator, and former Disney employee, Arthur C. Evans.

After the statue's demise, the name "Benny" was regularly used in a popular sports column in The Daily Barometer - known as "The Gnawed Log."

The first live appearance during an athletic event by a mascot named "Benny", was September 18, 1952 and performed by Ken Austin.

[9] Austin later founded Newberg, Oregon-based A-dec, the largest privately held dental equipment manufacturer in North America.

In March 2013, working together with Nike, Oregon State University unveiled the latest, newly redesigned version, of the Benny Beaver logo.

[13] During the halftime show of Oregon State Football's last home game of the 2024 season, Benny became engaged with his longtime love interest, Bernice Beaver.