Baloo's bugle volume 22, Number 2 Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future

SLINKY TURNS 70

Unless you have somehow lived an existence free of a certain metal coil toy, you probably can figure out that this refers to the Slinky.

The classic toy — the one that's supposed to magically "walk" down the stairs, if prompted in just the right way — turned 70 on August 30 of this year (2015).

Alex Brands has been the parent company of Slinky since 2013 — it also manages Shrinky Dinks, the plastic oven craft that became popular in the 1970s. But before that, the toy, which continues to be manufactured in Pennsylvania, has a long history in the Keystone State. 

Slinky inventor Richard James, at right, with his son, Tom, testing out their stair-walking technique. (Courtesy Tom James) 

Richard James, a Navy engineer in Philadelphia, brought the Slinky to life in 1945 after trying to make a spring to be used in ship equipment. One of James' springs toppled over when he knocked it from a shelf and proceeded to "walk" on various objects before it fell to the floor. That got him thinking — if he came up with the right steel wire and tension, he could make the coil into a "walking" toy. He was successful, and brought the toy to his wife, Betty, who came up with the name after consulting a dictionary for the right term to describe the coil's sly, even graceful type of movement. 

The first Slinky, made of 98 coils, stood 2 1/2 inches tall. Retailers were doubtful the thing would sell. But James Spring & Wire Company (later known as James Industries) eventually made out at Gimbels department store in Philadelphia, selling the toys for $1 each, wrapped in yellow paper. An initial run of 400 sold out in less than two hours. 

In the digitally driven 21st century, somehow the simple amusement, which is manufactured at a factory in Hollidaysburg, Pa., still sells. And maybe that is the key, says Sally Lawrence, manager of marketing and public relations for Alex Brands.  "I think it has just universal appeal," Lawrence says. "It's not gender-specific or age-specific." Plus there is always that familiar soundtrack of cascading metal (or plastic) — "It has a nice, soothing sound to it," she says. 

The character Slinky Dog from the 'Toy Story' movies is based on Slinky's 1952 canine outing. (Alex Brands)

Inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2000, the Slinky has taken various forms. In 1952, James Industries rolled out the Slinky Dog, which would later become inspiration for the Slinky Dog character in Pixar's "Toy Story" movies. 

While they didn't have as much staying power as Slinky Dog, over the years, there was also a Slinky Kitten, a Slinky Worm, a Slinky Frog and a Slinky Caterpillar. 

Modern-day variations include the plastic Slinky, the giant Slinky and the Sound FX Slinky, which makes sounds as it "walks." There's also a light-up Slinky, and, for the Slinky collector, a 14-karat gold-plated Slinky at $149.99.

A vintage Slinky promotion from James Industries.

If the coil wouldn't change all that much since 1945, once minted, the associated jingle didn't, either. Homer Fesperman, Johnny McCullough and Charles Weagly's 1962 ditty proved to be a winner, and went on to fill commercials for decades.

In recognition of that fact, Alex Brands is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the toy by asking fans to record themselves singing the famous Slinky jingle and using the hashtag#SlinkyDay70. Anyone participating can tag the share to @SlinkyToys on Facebook,@AlexToys on Twitter or @Alex_Toys on Instagram. For each video shared by August 30, the company will donate one Slinky to Toys for Tots. 

Below, find the jingle in various Slinky TV ads spanning multiple decades. Here are the lyrics:

BSA FACEBOOK PAGE

BSA Facebook page 

On the Facebook page you can read about –

Go To: http://scoutingwire.org/why-the-new-cse-is-comparing-the-bsa-to-harley-davidson/

SCOUTING MAGAZINE

Scouting magazine You Tube Channel