 A Slinky made out of metal | |
| Type | Spring toy |
|---|---|
| Inventor(s) | |
| Company | James Industries |
| Country | United States |
| Availability | 1945–present |
The Slinky is a helical spring toy invented and developed by naval engineer Richard T. James in 1943 and successfully demonstrated at Gimbels department store in Philadelphia on November 27, 1945.[1]
It can perform a number of tricks, including travelling down a flight of steps end-over-end as it stretches and re-forms itself with the aid of gravity and its own momentum; and appearing to levitate for a period of time after it has been dropped. These toys are interesting characteristics have contributed to its success in its home country of the United States, and it has inspired many popular toys with Slinky-like components, in a wide range of countries.
- ^ Fabry, Merrill (November 27, 2015). "How the Slinky Sprang Into Stores 70 Years Ago". Time. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
It was exactly 70 years ago, on the evening of Nov. 27, 1945, that Richard James demonstrated a new product at Gimbels department store in Philadelphia.