Pinewood Derby 2005

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of Cub Scouts and you might wonder "How long have Cubs been doing Pinewood Derbies?"     WELL ... The Pinewood Derby was the brain child of Cubmaster Don Murphy. The first race was run May 15, 1953 by Cub Scout Pack 280C at the Scout House, Manhatten Beach, California. At that time Pack 280C had 55 scouts organized into 7 dens. The idea of a Pinewood Derby where scouts and their dads could build a car and a closer relationship caught on like wild fire and within a year it was recognized nationally as an official event. The original kits featured "four wheels, four nails, and three blocks of wood"( the wheel mounting sections were separate pieces). The 1954 Scout supply catalog offered kits for $2.75  these kits had enough supplies for eight pinewood derby cars (making each car cost about .35 each).