Richard T. James

[4] In 1943 James was trying to develop a means for suspending sensitive shipboard instruments aboard naval vessels, even in rough seas, and was working with torsion springs when he accidentally dropped one.

He bought a coil-winding machine and started the James Spring & Wire Company to mass-produce the Slinky.

The couple made 400 Slinkys and convinced Gimbels department store in Philadelphia to carry the toy for Christmas 1945.

[7] In 1960, Richard went to Bolivia to join Wycliffe Bible Translators,[8] leaving behind his wife, six children, and nearly-bankrupt company in the United States.

[9] She moved the company from Philadelphia to its current Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania location and began an active advertising campaign, complete with the famous Slinky jingle.