Pinewood Derby |
|---|
|
| Topic Navigation |
|---|
|
Wikipedia: Pinewood derby
Subtopics DerbyMonster.com Page Sections History Multimedia Article Index |
History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Pinewood derby page on 29 July 2020, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The pinewood derby is a racing event for unpowered, unmanned miniature cars. Pinewood derbies are often run by chapters (packs) of the Cub Scouts program of Boy Scouts of America. With the help of adults, Scouts build their own cars from wood, usually from kits containing a block of pine wood, plastic wheels, and metal axles. With the popularity of the pinewood derby, other organizations have developed similar events, and a small industry has developed to provide organizer equipment (e.g. tracks, timers, and scales) and awards (e.g. trophies and ribbons). Similar Cub Scouting events include the raingutter regatta (a race for miniature boats) and the space derby (a race for rubber band-driven propeller shuttles).
The first pinewood derby was held on May 15, 1953 at the Scout House in Manhattan Beach, California by Cub Scout Pack 280C (the present Pack 713). The concept was created by the Pack's Cubmaster Don Murphy, and sponsored by the Management Club at North American Aviation.
Murphy's son was too young to participate in the popular Soap Box Derby races, so he came up with the idea of racing miniature wood cars. The cars had the same gravity-powered concept as the full-size Soap Box Derby cars, but were much smaller and easier to build.
The pinewood derby had a sensational first year. Murphy and the Management Club of North American Aviation sent out thousands of brochures to anyone who requested more information. The idea spread rapidly, and competitions were held across the country, mainly with recreation departments and nonprofit organizations including the Los Angeles County Department of Recreation. Of all that early enthusiasm, however, only the Boy Scouts of America made it part of an official program. The National Director of Cub Scouting Service, O. W. (Bud) Bennett, wrote Murphy: "We believe you have an excellent idea, and we are most anxious to make your material available to the Cub Scouts of America." Within the year, the Boy Scouts of America adopted the pinewood derby for use in all Cub Scout packs.
In its October 1954 issue, Boys' Life publicized the event and offered plans for the track and a car, which featured "four wheels, four nails, and three blocks of wood."
Murphy continued to run the derby program through the Management Club until his retirement from North American Aviation in 1978. He died in 2008.
In 2003, Pack 713 celebrated the 50th Pinewood Derby along with Packs 287, 759, 275, and former Cub Scouts from the 1953 Pack 280c. A shoulder patch for the Western Los Angeles County Council that depicted a pinewood derby car and a message of honor to Murphy was released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the event.
In 1980, the design of the block was changed from a cutout block, consistent with a 1940s style front-engined Indy 500 car, to a rectangular block. The tires were also changed from narrow, hard plastic, to wider "slicks."
In May 2005, the Boy Scouts of America registered Pinewood Derby as an official trademark.
| Date | Media or Collection Name & Details | Files |
|---|---|---|
| 14-15 January 2012 | 2012 Pinewood Derby: Blackhawk Council Pack 367 Bill Crittenden for The Crittenden Automotive Library |  Photo Collection Page |
| 19-20 January 2013 | 2013 Pinewood Derby: Blackhawk Council Pack 367 Bill Crittenden for The Crittenden Automotive Library |  Collection Page - 0:52 |
| 9 January 2014 | 2014 Pinewood Derby: Blackhawk Council Pack 367 Bill Crittenden for The Crittenden Automotive Library | Collection Page - 0:33 |
| Date | Article | Author/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 5 January 2011 | DerbyMonster.com Proves Cub Scout "Pinewood Derby" No Longer Child's Play | DerbyMonster.com |
| 7 January 2014 | Dremel® and Lowe's® Present Pinewood Derby® Days | Lowe’s Companies, Inc. |