Billy Possum

Designed to be the replacement for the Teddy bear after Theodore Roosevelt vacated the office of President of the United States in 1909, the toy's popularity waned quickly, with the trend having lost all momentum by Christmas of that year.

A trade magazine for toys and games suggested that it was Asa Griggs Candler, the founder of The Coca-Cola Company, who at the time was president of the Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta.

The feast provided unspoken racial commentary, reassuring white attendees that Taft would not appoint black people to positions of power in the South.

Originally, the company intended to create toys from literal stuffed opossum skins, but the result was described as "fleshy-looking and repulsive—like a pale, limp rat", leading to the creation of the plush version instead.

[5][8] In addition to plush toys, the character of Billy Possum was featured on post cards, buttons, figurines, china, puzzles, and other merchandise.