This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
All American Soap Box Derby Glides Toward 1971 End
The All-American Soap Box Derby known as the Gravity Grand Prix began in 1933 after Dayton Daily News photographer Myron E Scott spotted boys racing improvised cars. Akron joined as the national center with Derby Downs track and Chevy backing, launching a long tradition of youth competition, prizes, and evolving rules before sponsorship shifts and scandals reshaped the event through the 1970s.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dayton
Ohio
Daily News
Myron E
Scottie” Scott
Scott
Chevrolet
Muncie
Ind
Akron Beacon Journal
Jim Schlemmer
Goodyear
Goodrich
General
Firestone
Akron
Schlemmer
Tire Company
Tallmadge Hill
Eddie Rickenbacker
Tom Mix
NBC
Graham McNamee
Tom Manning
McNamee
Manning
Norman Newman
Pretoria
South Africa
Chevy
Derby Downs
Akron Municipal
Goodyear Air Dock
B.F. Goodrich Co
Firestone Tire & Rubber Co
New York City
Big Apple
Gilbert Klecan
San Diego
Akron Chamber of Commerce
Akron Jaycees
Karen Stead
Novar Electronics Corp
Barberton
ABC
Wide World of Sports