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In 1933 Myron E. Scott wrote a story about some boys who were racing down the streets in homemade cars. He worked for the Dayton Daily News in Dayton Ohio. He talked to the boys and told them to get together the next week and he would help them set up races for a prize.

Nineteen boys showed up the next week for the big event. Robert Gravett built the car that won. His car had a giant number seven painted on the hood. The most famous symbol of the All-American Soap Box derby is “Old No. 7”, Gravett’s car.

The first race went so well and everyone had so much fun that Myron Scott got his newspaper to sponsor the first official race. The Dayton Daily News gave Scott a pricey sum of two hundred dollars. The race was held on Saturday, August 19, 1933. The race turned in to a huge event with 362 kids participating and nearly 40,000 spectators at the first real race.

For more information on the history of the Soap Box Derby Click Here