Slinky Dog Dash

In 1943, mechanical engineer Richard James was working on a system to keep equipment steady while aboard ships in rough seas when he accidentally knocked some springs off a shelf.  After he observed how they gracefully walked down steps, he decided to turn his invention into a toy.  In 1952, the coiled spring toy was added to a dog's body and the Slinky Dog toy was born.  A few years later, the Slinky train Loco, the Slinky worm Suzie, and the Slinky Crazy Eyes glasses frames were offered for sale.  To date, over a third of a billion Slinkys have been sold!