Betty James, who co-founded Slinky company, dies

ap on San Diego Union - Tribune ^ | 11/23/08 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. — Betty James, who co-founded the company that made the Slinky and beat the odds as a single mother in the late 1950s to become a successful executive, has died. She was 90.

She died Thursday, said a spokeswoman for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

In 1945, James and her husband at the time, Richard, founded the company that would later make Slinky, the toy for which she was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 2001.

[pyx]

The line (Slinky) was sold in 1998 to Poof Toys. Sold more than ten years ago.

Surviving, succeeding and thriving for 38 years from 1960 through 1998 is a testament to Betty James' drive and character. One of the greats !

[Larry Lucido]

RIP

I was tempted to comment about carrying her carefully down the stairs but I won’t.

[Larry Lucido]

I straightened one out.

[caddie]

[Nik Naym]

Even better: they sell a gold plated version for $99.99!

What a country!

[library user]

I don’t think one can “break” a Slinky so much as make it non-functional. :O)

[proud2beconservativeinNJ]

Once you put a bend in it, .....it is never the same.

[rogercolleridge]

My favorite part of those lyrics is "or in pairs"; anotherwords, buy two!

For slinky races!!!! Ever try Slinky Jr., or the plastic slinky? Terrible, they never made it all the way down.

[Erasmus]

I think I heard a recent former President say that.

[SevenofNine]

I must been one destructive little girl back in da day I kill two slinkys LOL!

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.