We went to the Hinckley Soapbox Derby today – for those not sure, a “soapbox” is a handmade cart, traditionally made by boys out of a wooden box, a set of old pram wheels, and steered by string “reins” attached to the front axle. When on the flat, or heading up hill, the cart is moved using “boy-power” – the driver needed his mates to push. This sort of project could only be accomplished by teamwork. But the whole point of any soapbox is to take advantage of gravity, careering down the local hill at the greatest speed possible, often with unpredictable results.
The Hinckley soapboxes looked more sophisticated, but the principle was the same – utilising gravity to descend Castle Hill in the town in the shortest possible time. Some soapbox carts were substantially built, with impressive bodywork and decoration, but the fastest relied on the tried and trusted design of a simple box on simple wheels, albeit with a steering wheel and brakes. See http://365project.org/shepherdmanswife/365 for another soapbox at the event.
