Myron Scott (1907–1998) was born in Camden, Ohio, but grew up in Dayton. His father was a baker, but young Scott developed a passion for photography and art. His passions were further honed at the Dayton Institute of Art. After his time at the art institute, he accepted a job with the Dayton Daily News as a staff artist and eventually became one of the paper’s photographers.
He worked for the newspaper for 22 years, ultimately becoming the paper’s art director. His best work had less to do with his photography skills and more to do with his ability to come up with ideas and to network.
On a June day in 1933, Scott was sent on assignment to take photos of local children at play. While Scott was driving through Oakwood, a Dayton suburb, he saw several boys coasting down Big Hill Road. They had made cars out of wood.
The First Soap Box Derby
Scott suggested the newspaper organize and sponsor a city-wide race for young boys. Since newspapers were the most efficient and effective way to advertise, spreading the word would be easy—even if the race was quickly scheduled. The Dayton Daily News reported that it would host “The Daily News Soap Box Derby” on Aug. 19—a mere two months after Scott’s impromptu race. Thousands of spectators arrived to watch 362 boys between the ages of 6 and 16 race in their self-crafted, gravity-powered “soap box derby cars.” The young photographer had hit on a can’t-miss idea.
The following year, the newspaper sponsored the race again. This time the race was broken down into championship runs. The same year, 34 cities hosted their own “soap box derby car” races. Each city champion then competed against each other in Dayton. The young champions experienced a lavish three days in Dayton, as they were celebrated with a banquet and parties. Each boy was also provided a room at the Van Cleve Hotel. “Wild” Bill Cummings, who had just won the Indy 500, was the race starter, and Graham McNamee, the renowned NBC sports announcer, broadcasted the event.
Once the Dayton Championship concluded, it was followed by the Ohio Championship, and then the All American Soap Box Derby, which was sponsored by Chevrolet. Chevrolet remained the event’s primary annual sponsor from 1934 to 1972. The 1934 race was an unmitigated success, and it all originated from the mind of one man.
Naming the Sports Car
The Chevrolet executives were impressed with Scott’s out-of-the-box thinking and artful eye. The company hired him as assistant director for its public relations department. Scott remained with the company until he retired.One day in 1953, an executive meeting was held. Chevrolet had just developed a new sports car, and now it was time to put a name to it. The company had one requirement and that was that the name had to start with the letter “C.” More than 300 names were suggested, but the meeting ended without a decision.
That night, Scott went home and opened his dictionary. Scanning through the C’s, he came across one word that caught his eye. The next work day, Scott sent a note to Edward N. Cole, Chevrolet’s chief engineer and the man in charge of approving the name. The note read, ‘‘How would you like to go for a ride today in my Corvette?’’
Cole’s response is obvious to history. The Chevrolet Corvette has become one of the most popular and iconic American cars.
As for the All American Soap Box Derby, it remains active to this day with races held throughout the year in various cities and regions. The official track of the Soap Box Derby was built by the Depression-era Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Akron, Ohio, two years after the first race. It remains the location for the annual World Championships. There is also a Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame in which Myron Scott was its first inductee. He was inducted in 1997, the year before he died.
