Cameron slinky 6

Slinky Toy

By Cameron Shields

  • Richard James

    Richard James
    In 1943, Richard James was working with tension springs when one of the springs fell to the ground. He saw how the spring kept moving after it hit the ground and an idea for a toy was born.

  • Gimbel's Department Store

    Gimbel's Department Store
    Slinky debuted at Gimbel's Department Store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  • American Toy Fair

    American Toy Fair
    The slinky deputed at the American Toy Fair.

  • Cult involvment

    Cult involvment
    Around 1960, Richard James suffered from a mid-life crisis and left his wife, six children, and the Slinky Empire to join a Bolivian religious order/cult.

  • Poof Toys

    Poof Toys
    Betty James added other toys to the line: Slinky Jr., Plastic Slinky, Slinky Dog, Slinky Pets, Crazy Eyes (glasses with Slinky-extended fake eyeballs) and Neon Slinky. The line was sold in 1998 to Poof Toys.