Slinky

The latest exhibit at Thinktank is called We Made It, and is on Level 1 (the mezzanine floor). Slinky Children’s toys. Photo by Ell Brown.

Transcription:

John Weber: I'm John Weber, and this is your WHYY Philly Phun Phact. What walks down stairs alone or in pairs and makes a slinkety sound? Well, everyone knows it's Slinky. But did you know that Slinky was invented and first sold right here in Philadelphia.

Jim Murphy: In 1943, engineer Richard James was working at the Cramp Shipbuilding Company, trying to design a spring that could stabilize sensitive instruments on ships. But when he accidentally knocked one off a shelf, he was captivated by how it seemingly walked down a set of stairs.

John Weber: That's tour guide Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast.

Jim Murphy: Richard's wife, Betty, saw the potential for a toy and named it. Together, they turned the toy into a sensation.

Jim Murphy: The Slinky debuted in 1945 at Gimbal's department store in Philadelphia and was an instant hit.

John Weber: Quite simply because they're fun for a girl or a boy. To date, more than 360 million Slinkys have been sold worldwide. I'm John Weber, and that's your WHYY Philly Phun Phact.