The Slinky® debuted at Gimbel's Department Store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1945. Richard James, the inventor, was skeptical about how the Slinky® would sell. All his doubts were put to rest when all 400 Slinkys® for sale were purchased in 90 minutes. Since then, over three hundred million Slinkys® have been sold worldwide.

Invention: Slinky in 1945
Definition: noun / trademark
Function: Not only is the Slinky an excellent toy, its action also demonstrates a variety of physical forces and principles. The Slinky, like all objects, tends to resist change in its motion.
Patent: 2,415,012 (US) issued January 28, 1947