Tens of millions of Scouts, and their parents, have taken standard blocks of wood and turned them into cars that zip along at up to 20 mph. Learn about the origin, physics and more of Pinewood Derbies in this episode.
AI Summary
Get ready to race! Josh and Chuck dive into the fascinating world of the Pinewood Derby, that beloved scouting tradition where kids (and let's be honest, their competitive parents) transform simple blocks of wood into gravity-powered racing machines. They explore everything from the surprisingly dramatic origins in 1950s California to the physics behind what makes these tiny cars fly down the track at 20 mph, plus some insider tips that might just give you the winning edge at your local derby.
Movies Discussed
Airplane!
"Remember that in airplane, where that little, the kids reading, no, the nun is reading Boys Life magazine. — Josh references a scene from Airplane while discussing Boys Life magazine, the official Boy Scout publication."
— Josh
Ally McBeal
"Well, starring the boss from Ally McBeal. Yeah, Greg Gurman. — Chuck identifies Greg Germann by his role in Ally McBeal when discussing the movie Down in Derby."
— Chuck
Arthur
"think Dudley Moore and Arthur, but without the charm. — This appears in listener mail describing a rude person who interrupted while meeting Alan Alda."
Billy Madison
"His best role, though, seriously was in Billy Madison. — Chuck mentions Bradley Whitford's role in Billy Madison as his best performance."
— Chuck
Black Sheep
"I didn't see Black Sheep. — Josh continues listing Chris Farley movies he hasn't seen."
— Josh
Dragnet
"while other kids were watching Full House, I was watching Mash and Dragnet. — This appears in listener mail from someone describing their childhood TV preferences."
Full House
"while other kids were watching Full House, I was watching Mash and Dragnet. — This appears in listener mail from someone describing their childhood TV preferences."
Happy Gilmore
"I've seen some of Happy Gilmore. — Josh admits he's only seen parts of Happy Gilmore when Chuck is surprised he hasn't seen certain Adam Sandler movies."
— Josh
Hey Dude
"On the podcast, Hey Dude, the 90s called David Lasher and Christine Taylor — This is mentioned in a podcast advertisement discussing the 90s TV show Hey Dude."
Love Is Blind
"We're going to be talking to Nancy Rodriguez from Netflix's Love is Blind season three. — This is mentioned in a podcast advertisement for an interview with a Love is Blind contestant."
M*A*S*H
"while other kids were watching Full House, I was watching Mash and Dragnet. — This appears in listener mail from someone describing their childhood TV preferences alongside wanting to meet Alan Alda."
Pee-wee's Big Adventure
"you're what's his face from Peewee's Big Adventure. Oh man, what is his name? — Josh compares a hypothetical rich kid who buys a Pinewood Derby car to the antagonist from Pee-wee's Big Adventure."
— Josh
The A-Team
"the meetings were the same night at the A-team, so. — Josh jokes about missing Boy Scout meetings to watch The A-Team on TV."
— Josh
The Lost Boys
"It's where the Lost Boys live. Was it? No. I think they were like Santa Cruz or something. — Josh incorrectly suggests The Lost Boys was set in Manhattan Beach before correcting himself about the location."
— Josh
The West Wing
"Wasn't he on the West Wing too? No, you're thinking of Bradley. — Josh mistakenly thinks Greg Germann was on The West Wing, but Chuck corrects him about Bradley Whitford."
— Josh
Tommy Boy
"but you never saw Tommy Boy? — Chuck is surprised Josh hasn't seen the classic Chris Farley comedy Tommy Boy."
— Chuck
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