...Just Visiting...: Toys of Christmas Past - Part 11

Slinky Toy - James Industry - 1945 to Present

I think that everyone who reads this blog has either had, or at least have heard of the Slinky. A survey in 1990 showed that 89.8% of all Americans had heard of Slinky or the Slinky jingle. If you haven't, leave a comment. I would like to shake your virtual hand.

Even though you know about the Slinky, do you really know about the Slinky ? Sit back and read along and perhaps learn a think or two about America's favorite coiled spring toy.

It all started in 1943 when Richard James was working on a device to test horsepower of battle ships (being World War II and all ...). A spring fell off his desk and tumbled end over end across the floor. That night, James told his wife about it, and proclaimed "I think I can make a toy out of this".

After the war in 1945 Richard James and his wife Betty founded James Industry with 500 dollars. Betty came up with the name Slinky after looking through a dictionary. Slinky in Swedish mean sleek and graceful and Betty thought this described the toy. They initially had 400 Slinky's hand produced, but had trouble selling them. Gimbles Dept Store in Philadelphia agreed to provide counter space and on a snowy December evening Richard gave a demonstration of the Slinky to shoppers. Within 90 minutes every one of the 400 Slinky's, priced at $1.00 apiece, had been sold.

Gimbles Department Store in Philadelphia, PA

The business flourished during the 1950's but then fell on hard times. In 1960 Richard James and his wife parted ways and Betty James took over stewardship of the Slinky. She moved the factory from Philadelphia to Hollidaysburg (just a stones throw away from Altoona and a slightly longer throw from State College) where it has remained ever since.

Business flourished in the 60's and beyond with a new advertising campaign (and jingle) as well as the introduction of other Slinky based toys. Of course many of us have seen the Slinky Dog from the Toy Story films, but there were also other toys made as well. Slinky Frogs, Kitties, 3 Little Pigs, Caterpillar Hippo, Trains and so on. I show some of the more famous (and obscure) toys below, along with a couple of classic commercials from the 1960's and 70's.

1960's Slinky Commercial With the original Slinky Dog

Early 1970's Slinky Commerical

Slinky Cater-Puller, Slinky Elephant and Slinky Kitty - 1960's

Slinky Train and Slinky Worm

A revitalization of the Slinky and Slinky pull toys occurred in 1995 when a newly revamped Slinky Dog appeared in the Pixar's Toy Story Movie. Slinky Dog has also appeared in Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3.

1960's Slinky Dog together with the Toy Story Slinky Dog

Escape from Andy's Room - Toy Story 2

Slinky's continue to thrive today. In 1999 the U.S. Postal service issued a commemorative stamp with a Slinky on it. Slinky's have also traveled to space with NASA aboard the Space Shuttle. Approximately 300 million Slinky's have been sold since 1945. Not too bad for a bunch of coiled wire.