Poof-Slinky

In 1943, Richard James, a naval engineer, was conducting an experiment with tension springs when one fell and began to "walk." He took it home to his wife, Betty, and they created a new toy. The Slinky debuted at Gimbel's Department Store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1945. When all 400 Slinkies sold out in 90 minutes, Richard and Betty knew they had a hit on their hands.