Which iconic toy made its debut just in time for Christmas in 1945?
Fact: …The Slinky debuted in late 1945, perfectly timed for the holiday shopping season. Invented by naval engineer Richard James after he observed a torsion spring “walk” off a shelf, the toy became an overnight hit. At its first public demonstration at Gimbels department store in Philadelphia, all 400 units sold out in under 90 minutes. By contrast, the other famous toys arrived later: Barbie in 1959, the Rubik’s Cube in 1974, and the Hula Hoop in 1958—making the Slinky the only one to launch in the immediate post–World War II era.
Correct Answer: Slinky