I presented the Pinewood Derby idea to my Cub Scout Committee members,
some of whom were gifted in wood work and familiar with electricity.
With much enthusiasm, we created the design for the track and used an
electric door bell mechanism for the finish line. A light would
indicate the winner. We then established the official rules and
regulations. The rules are very much the same today. The 7-inch
pinewood blocks were cut. The wheels were purchased at a hobby shop.
The rules, wood block, 4-nails, and 4-wheels were placed in a brown
paper bag and given to each Cub Scout with a number. This number was
used to identify the participant and the car. The finished car could
not weigh more than 5-ounces.
DERBY DAY! This was the big day! In a small Scout House on May 15,
1953, in Manhattan Beach, California the Committee arrived one hour
before the event. The track was set up and a few test runs were made
to ensure alignment. The area was roped off around the track and car
pit for protection. The result charts, banners, and posters were put
in place. The Inspection and Repair Committee members were in place.
Finally the announcement "LET THE RACE BEGIN!" was made to a packed
Scout House.
Contestants raced across the wooden track in three classes: for
example, the first race for 8-years olds, the first race for 9-year
olds and the first race for 10-year olds. This was repeated for the
remaining heats. The winners immediately took their cars back to the
pit for the remaining heats.
From that moment in time, the Derby became an instant hit! The
expressions on the boys faces and the interest of the parents said it
all. No, my son did not win but he always remembers the race. I relive
the experience today when I watch the Derbies being run. Many fathers
who participated in Derbies years ago still have their cars. Today
they watch their sons embark on the same adventure.
Eventually, word of the Derby reached the National Directors of the
Boy Scouts of America and they decided to promote the event throughout
the United States. Director O. W. Bennett wrote to me saying, "We
believe you have an excellent idea and we are most eager to make this
material available to the Cub Scouts of America."
I gave them my permission to proceed with the program. I was quite
rewarded knowing that I had made a contribution to the Boy Scouts of
America and which became a meaningful family event that has become a
world wide tradition among millions of Scouts today.
An article appeared in the Cub Scout quarterly issue in 1954, and in
October issue of Boy's Life demonstrating how to make a gravity
powered racing car model and a track on which to run the Derby. The
rest is history!
Pinewood Derby Cars
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