How the Slinky became a classic American toy

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, ABC News is taking a look at how the Slinky became a classic American toy.

While many may have had one as children, the inception of the toy was accidental.

In 1943, Richard T. James, an engineer who was out on a trial run of a ship for the United States Navy, discovered the Slinky when he knocked a spring off of his desk.

When the spring fell, James noticed it "walked" and found it fascinating.

He went home and told his wife, Betty James, "I think this could be a toy," James' daughter Rebekah James Morris told ABC News.

Watch "Disney Celebrates America: The Pursuit of Happiness" from 8-10 p.m. on Monday, June 29, on ABC. In this coast-to-coast event, Disney Parks and attractions are the portal through which America's greatest stories, triumphs and traditions are celebrated.

Morris noted that Betty James wasn't so sure at first, but helped him name the toy and found the word "Slinky."

In terms of what the toy could do, many had questions about it.

"One of the problems was that when you look at a Slinky, it just sits there," James' son, Christopher James, told ABC News. "They felt that they needed to demonstrate it to show people what it did."

In 1945, Christopher James said his parents were granted counter space at Gimbel's Department Store in Philadelphia.

Fifty years later, the Slinky was featured in the classic Disney and Pixar movie "Toy Story" in the form of beloved character Slinky Dog. The stretchy hound has returned for each subsequent entry in the franchise, most recently appearing in this year's "Toy Story 5."

Christopher James said that his mom was "very proud of the fact that it was becoming one of the few toys that was made in America and invented, made and stayed in America."

Disney is bringing its magic to America's 250th anniversary celebration with a series of special events, including a live concert in Nashville, one-of-a-kind experiences at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort and a two-hour primetime special on ABC.

The company-wide initiative, "Disney Celebrates America," will also include a 24-hour multiplatform broadcast led by "World News Tonight" anchor David Muir that will take viewers across all 50 states beginning Friday, July 3 through Saturday, July 4.

The cross-platform broadcast will span ABC, Disney+, Hulu, National Geographic, FX, Freeform, ABC News Live, ESPN, and ABC Owned Television Stations and affiliates.

It will feature anchor Diane Sawyer, "Good Morning America" co-anchors Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos and Michael Strahan, "Nightline" co-anchors Juju Chang and Byron Pitts, "20/20" co-anchor Deborah Roberts and "Prime" and "WNT Sunday" anchor Linsey Davis.

The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News, Disney+ , Hulu, National Geographic, FX, Freeform, ESPN and Pixar.

Sponsored Content by Taboola