CLIFTON HEIGHTS – There was no better way to celebrate National Slinky Day Friday morning than to commemorate its place in history.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission officially unveiled a historical marker for the Slinky Toy at the intersection of Springfield Road and Baltimore Pike in Clifton Heights, the home of the toy’s manufacturing until 1965.
“The Slinky is probably one of the most iconic American toys and it has literally impacted probably all of our lives,” said PHMC Commissioner Bill Lewis. “I was thinking last night, my personal relationship with Slinky started when I was about 2 years old and continued through my kids. Like a Slinky, a perpetual toy that will always fascinate children forever, this is your commonwealth’s perpetual marking of this great, iconic part of American heritage and American toys and games.”
Richard James invented the slinking toy by accident 75 years ago, with his wife, Betty, giving it its iconic name. Richard left his company, James Industries, in 1960,and Betty turned it into a multi-million dollar corporation. Manufacturing moved to Hollidaysburg in central Pennsylvania in 1965 where the toy is still made today. As it slinked its way to the history books the Slinky became a staple for kids of all ages, with numerous portrayals in commercials, TV shows and movies, including the “Toy Story” film series which featured the Slinky Dog.
The Slinky was added to the Toy Hall of Fame in 2000 and is currently owned by Alex Brands Inc.
It had, no doubt, brought magical experiences to each of the speakers at Friday’s unveiling, including state Rep. Mike Zabel, D-163 of Upper Darby, who saw his own small children intrigued by the stair walker.
“What I love about that toy is it’s a toy that is going to be around forever because it surprises, it has an element of magic to it: It doesn’t have batteries, it doesn’t have a crank, it’s something that you show in your hands and it has that fluidity to it,” he said. “If there’s anything you can instill in young children is to believe that the world is full of magic and possibility and fun. That’s what the Slinky is and will continue to be for a long time.”
The kind words of support for the toy were heard by three of the James children, Christopher, Rebekah and Elysabethe, at the marker unveiling. They put all of the praise on their mother who raised six kids while running James Industries. She died in 2008 at the age of 90.
“When I look at this group I have to be honest with you, I do have a regret, and that regret is that our mother can’t be with you to recognize the accomplishment that has been bestowed upon her with 75 years of Slinky,” said Christopher, speaking on behalf of his sisters. “More importantly, for you, to meet my mother. She was a remarkable, remarkable woman. This is the type of woman who epitomized women who had faced adversity and overcame adversity and made a significant impact on our lives.”
The Slinky is the first state historical marker to commemorate a toy, and the first for Clifton Heights. Mayor Joe Lombardo Jr. said it was a privilege to add the marker to the town as it moves toward a re-development renaissance.
The PHMC approved a marker application for the Slinky on behalf of Media-based Historian Robyn Young in March 2018. Young had historical markers created for The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades, archaeologist Tatiana Proskouriakoff in Lansdowne and Chester-born actress and singer Ethel Waters. The Slinky Toy is her 20th marker.
