T. A. Chase

Here’s some facts about the Slinky.

• Betty James, CEO of James Industries and widow of Slinky inventor Richard James, named the famous toy. She scanned the dictionary for ideas and knew she’d found the perfect name with “Slinky,” which is Swedish and means stealthy, sleek, sinuous.

• Some very innovative uses have been found for the Slinky. It has been used in pecan-picking devices in Texas and Alabama; on lighting fixtures in Harrah’s Casino in Las Vegas because of the unusual shadows it casts; and as table decorations, drapery holders, bird repellers, mail holders, therapeutic devices, wave motion coils, gutter protectors, and in numerous other ways. During the war in Vietnam, soldiers found that when draped over tree branches, the metal Slinky was an excellent makeshift radio antenna. Also, the Slinky sometimes is prescribed by physical therapists for coordination development.

• The amount of wire used since 1943 to make Slinkys could wrap around the Earth 126 times.

• Fifty years after its invention, the Slinky sells for only about twice the one dollar it originally cost.


What does this have to do with writing? Nothing at all. I was doing research for my day job and came across these interesting little facts. So I thought I’d share them with you. Nice of me, huh?


Just so you know I did finish Understanding Forgiveness yesterday. I’ve heard back from two of cps. Just waiting on the third…who is really busy…lol. So as soon as I get those comments back, I’ll be writing up the synopsis and sending it to my contact person. Woo-hoo! One more story down and tons more to write. 🙂


Hope everyone has a great day. It’s snowing here, so I’m not sure how great my day will be.