Figure 2.--Soap Box Derbies which originated in America, proved extremely popular after World War II in Europe. This image is from a Soap Box Derby in the Netherlands during 1950.
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Figure 2.--Soap Box Derbies which originated in America, proved extremely popular after World War II in Europe. This image is from a Soap Box Derby in the Netherlands during 1950. |
The Soap Box Derby was created by the American press photographer Myron E. Scott in the 1930s. He once saw boys going down a hill in their self made cars. These cars were often made out of soap boxes, hence the reason for the name. It was his idea to organize soap box races.
These races were an immediate success in America and after World War II (1939-45) also caught on in Europe. In some countries such as the Netherlands they continued to be popular in the 1980s! They continue to be held in America. In America it was one of the major youth evnts. About 4 million people attended the 1949 national soap box races in Akron, Ohio. The substantial press coverage provide us with fascinating annual glimpses of boys clothing in each of the countries where the Soap Box Derbies were held.
The Soap Box Derby was created by the American press photographer Myron E. Scott in the 1930s. Scott was given an assignment to cover a race of cars built by local boys in Dayton, Ohio. They raced down a hill in cars they made themselves. Scott was so impressed with this race that he copyrighted the idea and promotede a natin-wide program. The original cars were often made out of soap boxes, hence the reason for the name. It was his idea to organize soap box races. Initially the program was for boys. Now girls participate along with the boys.
We are not sure when Scott first observed boys racing their self-built cars. The first All-American race was held in Dayton in 1934. The race was moved to its present location in Akron in 1935 because of its central location and hilly terrain. Because of the enormous popularity, Akron civic leaders immediately realized that a a permanent track site was needed with the appropriate facilities. The Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal agency to provide jobs for the Depression unemployed, helped to make Derby Downs became a reality. Every year since 1934, with the exception of World War II (1942-45), boy and later girl champs from local races held throughout the United States and several foreign countries have come to Akron with the racers they personally built to compete.
The Soap Box Derby youth racing program has run nationally since 1934. These races were an immediate success in America. In America it was one of the major youth evnts. About 4 million people attended the 1949 national soap box races in Akron, Ohio. They continue to be held in America. The 65th All-American Soap Box Derby will be held Saturday July 27, 2002 with local champs from all over America participating. The World Championship finals are held each August at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio.
The goals of the modern Soap Box Derby program remain the same as the first Derby held in 1934. While America has changed and the racers look different--the goals are basically the same. The program organizers seek to teach youngsters some of the basic skills of basic engineering as well as the spirit of competition and the need to persevere with a project once it has begun.
The organization of the races has changed over time. The current system is three racing divisions in most local competitions and at the All-American competition. The two stock (beginner) divisions provide kits to ensure all the racers were competing on an equal and fair basis. This is the reason that the two stock (beginner) divisions make use of kits and shells available from the All-American. This was different than the early races where the boys used whatever materials they could find. These entry race divisions are very popular in communities across the country, as youngsters are exposed to the Derby race program.
Stock Division: The Stock Division is designed to give the beginning builder a learning experience. Boys and girls, 9 through 16
compete in basic racers built from kits purchased from the All-American. These basic kits help the Derby novice by providing an easy to follow step-by-step procedure for building a simple lean-forward style car.
Super Stock Car Division: The Super Stock Car division gives many previous competitor the opportunity to expand their skills and construct a more advanced model.
Masters Division: The Masters division offers competitors, age 11 through 16, the opportunity to build an advanced racer. For these competitors there is mandatory kits, although that is an option. The competitors use creativity and design skills to construct their racers. The Masters competitors can either build a laydown or lean forward style car from scratch of their own design or they may purchase a Masters Kit and fiberglass body shell from the All-American.
The Soap Box Derby originated in America durin the 1930s and no where else has it proven so popular. We are not sure just when the Derby spread to Europe. We do know that after World War II (1939-45) the Soap Box Derby also caught on in Europe. The popularity in Europe varied greatly from country to country. WEhave very limited information from individual countries. It appears to have been particularly popular in England and the Netherlands. We believe it was popular in several other countries as well, but few details are currently available to us. In some countries such as the Netherlands they continued to be popular into the 1980s! The Derby continues to be a popular event in America.
The substantial press coverage provide us with fascinating annual glimpses of boys clothing in each of the countries where the Soap Box Derbies were held.
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