 Betty
James
Mother Of The Slinky
(1918-2008)
The year
2008 closed on a somber note with the passing of Betty James
who, as the wife of Slinky inventor Richard James, emerged
as the most important contributor to the toy's enduring legacy.Mrs.
James died November 20, 2008 of congestive heart failure at
the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
She was 90 years old.
Back in
1945, when her husband Richard was inspired to turn a coiled
spring into a child's toy, it was Betty who christened it
"Slinky", after combing the dictionary for a suitable name.
She later developed the unforgettable Slinky jingle that became
a mainstay of the toy's promotion over the years.
From the
earliest days, when she wrapped Slinkys on her kitchen table,
Betty remained an active partner in her husband's enterprise.
Together, they founded James Industries and built the simple
toy into a thriving business through the 1950s.
In 1960,
when Richard James dramatically abandoned both his family
and company to join a religious movement in Bolivia, Betty
assumed full responsibility for reviving Slinky's flagging
fortunes. She re-located the factory to its present site in
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania and expanded the product line
to include Plastic Slinkys and the Slinky Dog. As President
of James Industries, Betty steered the Slinky brand through
a new surge of popularity and success... a remarkable feat
for a single mother with three sons and three daughters to
raise.
After
nearly three decades at the helm, she sold the business to
Michigan-based Poof Products, now known as Poof-Slinky, Inc.
Settled into retirement, Betty remained accessible to both
toy fans and journalists who expressed curiosity about the
Slinky's 60-plus year legacy. Making a special appearance
at the 2006 Motivation Show in Chicago, she became the immediate
center of attention. In May 2008, CNBC interviewed her as
part of a short feature on Slinky's
remarkable history.
In 2001,
Betty was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall Of Fame.
Betty
James is survived by three sons, 16 grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren. Her oldest son Tom, who as a boy discovered
Slinky's extraordinary ability to walk down steps, carries
on the family tradition as the Slinky Master, working as a
consultant for Slinky headquarters in Hollidaysburg and promoting
the toy at various public events and trade shows.
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