Co-Founder of Slinky Company DiesHOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (Nov. 22) - 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.
Ms. James's service will take place later this week, where her remains will be set at the top of funeral home stairs and allowed to descend to the bottom on their own forward motion.
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Okay, the first part is true, but I made up the second part. I couldn't resist. However, I mean no disrespect to this lovely woman and I wish her family my condolences. I still love Slinkys, but these days I use them to keep squirrels off of the hooks holding the bird feeders. (It doesn't always work.) Still, the Slinky is one of the coolest toys ever!
Love your sense of humor. I agree the slinky is the greatest toy.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are all grown and grandparents but they loved Slinky. The problem was if one of the kids had him the other one of 5 always wanted him so he became a tug of war. Does slinky still live???
ReplyDeleteOnce again, you crack me up! I'm sure Ms James wouldn't have a problem with what you suggest.
ReplyDeleteI have a Slinky around here somewhere. Looks like I'm going to have to find it and play with it in memory of Ms James.
I still love slinkys too! And I think that Ms. James would have appreciated your joke. At least I hope she would; after all, a woman who could have a hand in inventing the slinky had to have a good sense of humor, right?
ReplyDeleteThe thing that angers me most in this weird little life of mine is that they are now making The Slinky out of freakin' plastic.
ReplyDeletePlastic!
Those bastards!
Let it be known that I am not going to speak ill of the recently deceased.
But freakin' PLASTIC!?!
That's a damned sin.
LOL That is sad!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up! Actually, that would have been a great idea! LOL
ReplyDeleteI wish I kept the slinkies I purchased for my children when they were young.
Hugs, Rose
That's a good one! Sort of like when the guy that wrote the "Hokey Pokey" died. They put his left foot in, his right foot in~well you know the rest. Linda in Washington
ReplyDeleteHi Beth,
ReplyDeleteLOL!! Unfortunately, I don't think your plan -- to have Mrs. James' remains descend down the funeral home stairs of their own accord -- would work. Rumor has it she lost a certain spring in her step shortly after George W. took office ...
Best,
Marty
Have a good Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteTail between my legs, I slink away in shame for not commenting previously :o(
ReplyDeleteI used to LOVE my slinky... I'd get them tangled, and my dad would buy me another one. I must've had a hundred of 'em!! Then I bought them for my son when HE was little... Great toy, indeed!!!
ReplyDeleteI send my condolences to the family. I read about the slinky some time back, and it very interesting. In 1943, a United States Naval Engineer named Richard James, he dropped a torsion spring. He noticed the interesting flip-flops. When the war was over he returned home, and remembered the spring. His Wife Betty perfected it with a long steel ribbon tightly coiled into a spiral. He passed away in 1974, and now Betty has passed on. So, lets all get out our slinky's tomorrow in honor of them. I love the Slinky, and wish to thank you for this entry! Off to your next one.
ReplyDeleteBlessed Be,
Wes
i remember when the dude that wrote the Hokey Pokey died; the trouble started when they put left leg in the coffin. grins, debra
ReplyDeleteLOL...I think she would have been amused by your joke Beth. I didn't know she was from Harrisburg, that is a neighboring town.
ReplyDeleteGee my kids always loved them!
ReplyDeletePlease send my Condolences to the family of this great lady
natalie