News Article

1937 World Champion Bob Ballard Dies; Engineering Career Led to Many Patents

Soap Box Derby headquarters recently has learned of the death in November 2020 of Robert Lewis (Bob) Ballard, who won the fourth All-American Soap Box Derby in 1937, as the 12-year-old champion from White Plains, New York. Ballard was 96 and was the longest-living world champion in Soap Box Derby history. His death was due to COVID-19 complications.

He is survived by four daughters and 10 grandchildren.

The skills Bob learned from the Soap Box Derby led to a decades-long professional career in engineering. His studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, were interrupted in 1944 by World War II. He served in the United States Navy as an electronics and communications specialist until his discharge in 1946. Ballard then returned to Worcester where he earned degrees in both electrical and mechanical engineering.

After joining General Motors’ styling department, he earned his first patent for a “rain switch” that activated automatically to raise the top of a parked convertible. He also was awarded a patent in 1951 for the first electrically heated seats in vehicles. At GM’s Harrison Radiator Division, Ballard earned patents for early use of robotics on assembly lines.

He received engineering-related patents while employed by such companies as Whirlpool, Black & Decker and Ingersoll Rand. He later became a consultant. Bob spent his last 40 years as a resident of St. Louis.

Over the years, Bob Ballard volunteered with the St. Louis Soap Box Derby program and returned for events at Derby Downs. At the All-American finals in 2007, Bob marked the 70th anniversary of his championship in a special race, in which he defeated 1957 world champion Terry Townsend.

More News

Impacting Youth through STEM

By Linda Hubbell, Director of Education The International Soap Box Derby is impacting youth through STEM learning and gravity racing. We combine the two and bring our unique education programs into young people's lives whether in the classroom, during out-of-school...

read more

FirstEnergy Extends Title Sponsorship for Soap Box Derby

AKRON, Ohio, July 19, 2024 -- FirstEnergy Corp. extends its title sponsorship with The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) for three years, running through 2027. The sponsorship continues a strong relationship between the two Akron-based institutions that began in...

read more

Soap Box Derby Senior Day is September 26

Calling All Sox Box Derby Lovers and Adventure Seekers 55+ Get ready to relive your glory days (or experience them for the very first time!) at Senior Day on Thursday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) in Akron, Ohio. This...

read more