FACT: In the Vietnam war, American soldiers used the Slinky as an antenna

Even Uncle Sam loves the Slinky! The simple spring toy (but it’s fun for all seasons) has sold over 300 million since 1945, including a fair number to the US military. During the war in Vietnam, troops on the ground would carry the compact little cylindar of wire, alone or in pairs, to use as an extra long antenna. They would sling the slinky over branches and extend the range of thier radios. Ah yes, the spring… a marvellous thing.

• Read all about the Slinky: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Slinky

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