Emily Berlin
Ms. Mitchell
Dual English 1301
30 Oct. 2017
“Walking” Since 1945: The Discovery of a Children's Classic
Effortlessly “walking” down sloped platforms and into the home homes of millions, this eighty feet of coiled wire has become one of the most well-known children’s toy today. The Slinky may be a simple invention that has captured the attention of all ages but it was not initially supposed to be used for recreational purposes. In fact, the popular toy was created on accident and almost failed to make it to stores.
Delaware, 1914 young Richard James was learning how to keep himself entertained with simple household objects. Growing up during the Great Depression, James enjoyed using his imagination and inventing his own toys …show more content…
Potential energy is being stored within the Slinky while it is at rest at the top of the sloped edge. The inertia that the Slinky also possess allows the Slinky to stay at rest at the top. When pushed down the ramp, gravity begins to take effect and the potential energy quickly converts over to kinetic energy. By continuing the conversion of potential to kinetic energy the Slinky is able to create the look of gracefully walking down the slope by falling end over end.
Although the design of the Slinky is a simple and straight forward idea, the science behind this childrens toy is complex. With gravity, potential energy, kinetic energy, inertia, and friction all playing a major part in allowing the Slinky to walk, makes this toy more complicated than how it may seem at first glance.
This accidental creation has become one of the longest lasting fads, with selling over 250 million products since the 1940s (“Slinky”), the Slinky has outlasted other toys of its decade such as, the Cabbage Patch Kid. With the design only being adjusted once, clamped the ends for safety concerns, the Slinky has walked its way into homes and hearts of
Ms. Mitchell
Dual English 1301
30 Oct. 2017
“Walking” Since 1945: The Discovery of a Children's Classic
Effortlessly “walking” down sloped platforms and into the home homes of millions, this eighty feet of coiled wire has become one of the most well-known children’s toy today. The Slinky may be a simple invention that has captured the attention of all ages but it was not initially supposed to be used for recreational purposes. In fact, the popular toy was created on accident and almost failed to make it to stores.
Delaware, 1914 young Richard James was learning how to keep himself entertained with simple household objects. Growing up during the Great Depression, James enjoyed using his imagination and inventing his own toys …show more content…
Potential energy is being stored within the Slinky while it is at rest at the top of the sloped edge. The inertia that the Slinky also possess allows the Slinky to stay at rest at the top. When pushed down the ramp, gravity begins to take effect and the potential energy quickly converts over to kinetic energy. By continuing the conversion of potential to kinetic energy the Slinky is able to create the look of gracefully walking down the slope by falling end over end.
Although the design of the Slinky is a simple and straight forward idea, the science behind this childrens toy is complex. With gravity, potential energy, kinetic energy, inertia, and friction all playing a major part in allowing the Slinky to walk, makes this toy more complicated than how it may seem at first glance.
This accidental creation has become one of the longest lasting fads, with selling over 250 million products since the 1940s (“Slinky”), the Slinky has outlasted other toys of its decade such as, the Cabbage Patch Kid. With the design only being adjusted once, clamped the ends for safety concerns, the Slinky has walked its way into homes and hearts of