The Magic Metal Spring better known as a Slinky. The Slinky is a classic toy dating back to the 1940's. The original slinky came about by accident when a naval engineer by the name of Richard James who designed the spring to stabilize and support ships.. He accidentally knocked one of a shelf, and watched it walk down over the books and shelves, and the slinky was born. Our spring is of quality metal construction with patterns. It stretches and snaps back and makes that familiar slinky sound. Juggle it from hand to hand or watch it walk down stairs.