It will take more than three clicks of the heels to preserve the ruby slippers that whisked Dorothy back to Kansas at the end of The Wizard of Oz.

The slippers, which for more than 30 years have been one of the most beloved items at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, were crafted almost 80 years ago by the MGM Studios prop department. Like most movie props, they weren't built to last. Now, the frayed shoes aren't even ruby-coloured anymore - they're more like a dull auburn.

On Monday, the Smithsonian asked the public to help save the slippers, launching a Kickstarter campaign to raise $300,000. In addition to keeping the shoes' colour from deteriorating further, the money will go toward a technologically advanced display case that will preserve them for future generations.