As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, ABC is taking a look at how the Slinky became a classic American toy.

Born on the water in Philadelphia, the Slinky was developed by one of the first great women of the American toy industry. Maura McGlensey, 6, of Clifton Heights, plays with a Slinky during the ...

When the Slinky was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2000, more than 250 million had been sold to date. Kathryn8/Getty Images As its jingle once cheered: “A spring, a spring, a marvelous ...

Some inventions come after long planning and contemplation. Some innovations take place through sheer unpredictability. The Slinky is definitely part of the latter. Richard James, who was a naval ...