“What walks down stairs, alone or in pairs
and makes a slinkity sound?
A spring, a spring, a marvelous thing!
Everyone knows it’s Slinky!”

The Slinky was invented and developed by naval engineer Richard T. James in 1943 when he was conducting experiments using springs. One fell to the floor and began to walk! James demonstrated his Slinky at Gimbels Department Store in Philadelphia in 1945. The toy was a hit, selling its entire inventory of 400 units in 90 minutes. Since then, Slinky has been captivating kids and adults alike with its ability to walk down stairs step-by-step, and its classic Slinky sound.

James and his wife, Betty, formed James Industries in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania to manufacture Slinky and several related toys, such as the Slinky Dog and Suzie, the Slinky Worm. The original Slinky is still made in the USA. Get your own HERE.