A: If there’s one job we can’t imagine quitting it’s that of Slinky CEO. Richard James invented the Slinky in 1943 after he saw a spring fall off a table and wiggle upon hitting the floor. And despite being about as much fun as watching a spring fall off a table and wiggle on the floor, the Slinky became an overnight sensation.
When Slinky sales started to slack off in the mid-1950s, however, James turned his attention to things that went up instead of down. He donated most of his money to his church and left behind the nearly bankrupt Slinky business to become a missionary in Bolivia. He remained there until his death in 1974 when he fell down the stairs. (Just kidding. It was a heart attack.) Fortunately, James’ wife raised the Slinky empire from its ruins, and to date, more than a quarter billion of the toys have been sold.
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
I'm not sure how James could make it to Bolivia unless it's at the bottom of a flight of stairs.
2 - Clavos
It WAS a stretch for him...
3 - Keefer
wow, this article was interestingly "fun for a girl and a boy."