Story-Teller
Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2009
- Messages
- 2,406
The Slinky
“The man with a new idea is a crank until his idea succeeds.”
—Mark Twain
Opportunity often knocks at odd times and in odd ways. When the knock occurs, some people answer the door, say “What a great idea!” and then proceed to do little or nothing about it. A few people will grab the opportunity and make something happen. The Slinky, the spring-like toy that walks down stairs, essentially invented itself. One day in 1943, Richard James, a marine engineer, was startled by a zero-compression spring that fell off a shelf, proceeded to “walk” across a row of books, and then bounced to the floor. James took the spring home, and his toddler played with it for hours. The spring represented an opportunity. What could be done with it? Along with his wife, Betty, James decided to test the potential of marketing the spring as a toy. They made 100 of the springs and arranged to show them at Gimbel’s department store in New York City. Customers loved the Slinky’s “personality” and bought the entire stock.
Manufacture, promotion, and distribution of the Slinky was haphazard at first, but sales soon flourished. Unfortunately, Richard had a difficult time coping with success. By the mid-1950s, he had drained the company of most of its assets. After Richard left his wife and the Slinky organization, Betty continued on her own and returned the business to prosperity. After more than forty years, and with only small modifications, the Slinky still has the appeal to become a favorite toy of each new generation.
Consider This: Look at simple things. Get good ideas. Get feedback. If the idea is good, then add very hard work. The formula spells success.
Submitted by Richard
“The man with a new idea is a crank until his idea succeeds.”
—Mark Twain
Opportunity often knocks at odd times and in odd ways. When the knock occurs, some people answer the door, say “What a great idea!” and then proceed to do little or nothing about it. A few people will grab the opportunity and make something happen. The Slinky, the spring-like toy that walks down stairs, essentially invented itself. One day in 1943, Richard James, a marine engineer, was startled by a zero-compression spring that fell off a shelf, proceeded to “walk” across a row of books, and then bounced to the floor. James took the spring home, and his toddler played with it for hours. The spring represented an opportunity. What could be done with it? Along with his wife, Betty, James decided to test the potential of marketing the spring as a toy. They made 100 of the springs and arranged to show them at Gimbel’s department store in New York City. Customers loved the Slinky’s “personality” and bought the entire stock.
Manufacture, promotion, and distribution of the Slinky was haphazard at first, but sales soon flourished. Unfortunately, Richard had a difficult time coping with success. By the mid-1950s, he had drained the company of most of its assets. After Richard left his wife and the Slinky organization, Betty continued on her own and returned the business to prosperity. After more than forty years, and with only small modifications, the Slinky still has the appeal to become a favorite toy of each new generation.
Consider This: Look at simple things. Get good ideas. Get feedback. If the idea is good, then add very hard work. The formula spells success.
Submitted by Richard
