The original Ventures from left: Howie Johnson, Don Wilson, Nokie Edwards,
and Bob Bogle

Don Lee Wilson was born in Tacoma, Washington and is a founding
member of the instrumental rock-and-roll group The Ventures.

1960

The Ventures “Walk-Don’t Run” is believed to be one of the
first surfing songs to make the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It
peaked at #2.

The first Slinky

The toy Slinky was invented and developed by naval engineer Richard James in
the early 1940s. He demonstrated his creation in November OF 1945 at Gimbels department store in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The toy was a hit, selling its entire inventory of 400 units in ninety minutes. James and his wife Betty formed James Industries in Philadelphia to manufacture Slinky and several related toys such as
the Slinky Dog and Suzie, the Slinky Worm. In 1960, Betty became president of
James Industries, and, in 1964, moved the operation to Hollidaysburg, Pa. In
1998, she sold the company to Poof Products, Inc. Industry experts predict the 
Slinky will make a comeback this year. 

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Slinky inventor Richard James

Betty James

 
Alice Malsenior Walker is 69 today