Age, Biography and Wiki
Betty James (Betty Mattas) was born on 13 February, 1918 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, U.S., is a 20th century American businesswoman. Discover Betty James's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 90 years old?
| Popular As |
Betty Mattas |
| Occupation |
Businessperson |
| Age |
90 years old |
| Zodiac Sign |
Aquarius |
| Born |
13 February 1918 |
| Birthday |
13 February |
| Birthplace |
Altoona, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Date of death |
20 November, 2008 |
| Died Place |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nationality |
United States
|
We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 13 February.
She is a member of famous Businessperson with the age 90 years old group.
Betty James Height, Weight & Measurements
At 90 years old, Betty James height not available right now. We will update Betty James's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.
| Physical Status |
| Height |
Not Available |
| Weight |
Not Available |
| Body Measurements |
Not Available |
| Eye Color |
Not Available |
| Hair Color |
Not Available |
Who Is Betty James's Husband?
Her husband is Richard T. James
| Family |
| Parents |
Not Available |
| Husband |
Richard T. James |
| Sibling |
Not Available |
| Children |
6 |
Betty James Net Worth
Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Betty James worth at the age of 90 years old? Betty James’s income source is mostly from being a successful Businessperson. She is from United States. We have estimated Betty James's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.
| Net Worth in 2024 |
$1 Million - $5 Million |
| Salary in 2024 |
Under Review |
| Net Worth in 2023 |
Pending |
| Salary in 2023 |
Under Review |
| House |
Not Available |
| Cars |
Not Available |
| Source of Income |
Businessperson |
Betty James Social Network
| Instagram |
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| Linkedin |
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| Twitter |
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| Facebook |
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| Wikipedia |
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| Imdb |
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Timeline
Betty M. James (February 13, 1918 – November 20, 2008) was an American businessperson who came up with the name for the Slinky her husband Richard T. James invented.
She was born as Betty Mattas on February 13, 1918, in Altoona, Pennsylvania.
She attended Altoona Area High School and then Pennsylvania State University, leaving when she married Richard.
Her husband, an engineer, conceived of the toy in 1943 while working at Cramp Shipbuilding Yard in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia after a torsion spring fell off a table and started flipping end-over-end across the floor.
The following year, Betty came up with the name Slinky after leafing through the dictionary and thinking that the word described the motion of the spring.
The couple made 400 of The Toys and convinced the Gimbels department store in Philadelphia to carry the toy for Christmas 1945 displayed on a ramp.
These first models were all sold within 90 minutes at a price of $1 each.
Betty James insisted upon keeping the original Slinky affordable.
The Slinky toy sold for $1.00 in 1945.
She ran James Industries, the firm that manufactured the toy, by herself starting in 1960 after her husband left the firm and the family.
In the face of declining sales, her husband left the family and moved to Bolivia in 1960 to join Wycliffe Bible Translators.
The Slinky Dog helped turn around the sales slump and a new version issued after a version featured in the 1995 movie Toy Story was another top seller.
In 1996, when the Slinky's retail price ranged from $1.89 to $2.69, she told The New York Times: "So many children can’t have expensive toys, and I feel a real obligation to them. I’m appalled when I go Christmas shopping and $60 to $80 for a toy is nothing."
She took over management of the firm, and responsibility for the family's six children, running it for almost 40 years until selling the company to POOF Products of Plymouth, Michigan in 1998.
She was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 2001.
In 2008, Slinkys cost $4 to $5, and Slinky Dogs about $20.
By the time of her death in 2008, Slinkys were priced from $4 to $5, with Slinky Dogs selling for about $20.
More than 300 million Slinkys in all their variations had been sold in her lifetime.
James died at age 90 on November 20, 2008, of congestive heart failure at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
She had lived in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, where James Industries was headquartered.
If the Slinky's sale price kept pace with inflation, the Slinky would have sold for $13.83 in 2018.
