The Marvelous Thing That Came from a Spring: The Accidental Invention of the Toy That Swept the Nation

This is the story of how the Slinky was invented and became a post-World War II toy. Richard James, an engineer, sees a spring fall from his desk; as its coils move, his imagination follows. The book traces that accidental beginning through the toy’s development and later cultural presence. Retro-style photographed dioramas illustrate the account, and the book includes back matter.