7. Slinky

Release Year: 1945
Produced by James Industries
* Original Cost: $1.00
In 1945, the Slinky—a marvel of engineering and simplicity—took the hearts of kids and adults alike. The toy, created by navy engineer Richard James, was an accidental discovery that came about after he saw a tension spring toppling over.

@ebay/Pinterest Slinky
It was soon adopted as a family favorite after being marketed with the catchy melody, “It’s Slinky, it’s Slinky, for fun, it’s a wonderful toy.” In addition to captivating millions of people, its self-contained capacity to “walk” down stairs earned it a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2000. The Slinky is the perfect example of how joy can be discovered in the simplest ideas and shows that joy can come in coils.