text: what companies invent slinkys?   like so many other great inventions, the slinky, a favorite of both kids and physics teachers, was just a grand accident. richard james, a naval engineer, "discovered" this enduring toy in 1943.   you can find the original slinky at  any cracker barrel old country store or online store - http://shop.crackerbarrel.com/online/shopping/product.asp?cat%5fid=4&sku=351521