It is a colorful toy that is much more familiar to those who spent their childhood in the 90s; aka stress spring (slinky). Did you know that the stress spring, which is undoubtedly one of the most popular toys of its time, that we play with its spiral shape by springing it to the right and left with both hands, has a patent registration?
Although the stress spring entered our lives in the 90s, its history dates back to the patent application filed by Richard James in 1947. Mechanical engineer Richard James drops springs from his hands while working on reducing the fragility of equipment used on ships. At that time, the springs he dropped start to jump. He decides to make toys from these springs and thus the stress spring appears.
Richard Thompson James (March 27, 1918 – July 13, 1974) was an American naval engineer, best known for inventing the Slinky spring toy with his wife Betty James in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania in 1943.
The stress spring is one of the inventions found by chance.
As stated in the patent application prepared by Richard James, it is defined as a coiled spring toy that can walk on an inclined plane or walk on steps where external energy is not applied. Again, when the details of the patent application in question are elaborated, it is explained that in the closed position, the lateral force between the turns is zero and it consists of a coiled spring, each of which has a natural frequency and is adapted to walk and oscillate. It is also stated in the patent file that the stress spring walks by itself or descends the steps of the stairs.
Richard James created a patent worth millions from a simple bow that emerged as a result of clumsiness.
With the development of technology, toys are also changing. This invention, which was not dropped by the children of a period, still continues to attract attention even today. We warn in advance for those who want to have a nostalgia getaway or those who have not yet introduced their child to this fun toy; you won't be able to put it down.