Pinewood Derby: Difference between revisions

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== History ==
== History ==
==Origins==
[[File:Western Los Angeles County Council Pinewood Derby CSP.png|thumb|2003 patch honoring Don Murphy and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the derby]]
[[File:Western Los Angeles County Council Pinewood Derby CSP.png|thumb|2003 patch honoring Don Murphy and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the derby]]
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<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pack713.org |title=Cub Scout Pack 713 &#124; Manhattan Beach, CA |publisher=Pack713.org |accessdate=December 6, 2015}}</ref>). The concept was created by the Pack's Cubmaster Don Murphy, and sponsored by the Management Club at [[North American Aviation]].<ref name="BSA Museum">{{cite web |url= http://www.bsamuseum.org/exhibits/derby/index.html |work= National Scouting Museum |title= The Pinewood Derby |accessdate= February 29, 2008 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080204081656/http://www.bsamuseum.org/exhibits/derby/index.html  |archivedate= February 4, 2008}}</ref>
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<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pack713.org |title=Cub Scout Pack 713 &#124; Manhattan Beach, CA |publisher=Pack713.org |accessdate=December 6, 2015}}</ref>). The concept was created by the Pack's Cubmaster Don Murphy, and sponsored by the Management Club at [[North American Aviation]].<ref name="BSA Museum">{{cite web |url= http://www.bsamuseum.org/exhibits/derby/index.html |work= National Scouting Museum |title= The Pinewood Derby |accessdate= February 29, 2008 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080204081656/http://www.bsamuseum.org/exhibits/derby/index.html  |archivedate= February 4, 2008}}</ref>

Revision as of 01:34, 11 March 2019

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).

History

2003 patch honoring Don Murphy and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the derby

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[1]). The concept was created by the Pack's Cubmaster Don Murphy, and sponsored by the Management Club at North American Aviation.[2]

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.[3][4]

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.[5][6] 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.[3]

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."[3]


References

  1. "Cub Scout Pack 713 | Manhattan Beach, CA". Pack713.org. http://www.pack713.org. Retrieved December 6, 2015. 
  2. "The Pinewood Derby". National Scouting Museum. Archived from the original on February 4, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080204081656/http://www.bsamuseum.org/exhibits/derby/index.html. Retrieved February 29, 2008. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Wendell
  4. "The History Of The Pinewood Derby". 2019-01-22. https://www.derbydust.com/the-history-of-the-pinewood-derby/. Retrieved 2019-02-22. 
  5. "The History of Pinewood Derby Car Racing". Pinewood Pro. https://www.pinewoodpro.com/pinewood-derby-history.php. Retrieved February 29, 2008. 
  6. Bogert, John (July 9, 2008). "Scouts Honor — Memorial Set for Creator of the Pinewood Derby". Daily Breeze (Los Angeles Newspaper group). Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081005203230/http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_9834624. Retrieved July 11, 2008.