RC10Talk - The Net's Largest Vintage R/C Community

I don't know why I was thinking about this, but I was pondering why it was that the American RC revolution or industry seems to have originated out in California back in the 70s and 80s. What was wrong with the rest of the country? You had (or still have) Associated, Team Losi, Andy's, Ranch Pit Shop, etc. Thoughts? Maybe Websteve can comment.

It's because Californians are just so much cooler than everyone else.

Besides, where else could it have originated, North Carolina? I don't think so ...

all this sun makes great ideas grow

Halgar wrote:It's because Californians are just so much cooler than everyone else.

Besides, where else could it have originated, North Carolina? I don't think so ...

Hey, if it is good enough for Nascar......never mind. Bad analogy. Anyone can drive in circles

Tadracket wrote:
Hey, if it is good enough for Nascar......never mind. Bad analogy. Anyone can drive in circles

Well it took you long enough!

It did start here i helped design it!lol DON

I think it has to do with the full scale cars. All the hot rodding started here and so did dune buggies. So, it only makes sense that small scale would originate out here too.

Plus, the weather makes good for year-round racing and testing.

RichieRich wrote:I think it has to do with the full scale cars. All the hot rodding started here and so did dune buggies. So, it only makes sense that small scale would originate out here too.

Plus, the weather makes good for year-round racing and testing.

Not to mention all those aerospace engineers with spare time on their hands.

Some more info from Wiki:

In the early 70s several commercial products were created by small firms in the US. Most of these companies began as slot car companies and with the wane in popularity of that genre moved into the R/C field. Among these were Associated Electrics, Thorp, Dynamic, Taurus, Delta, and Scorpion. These early kits were 1/8 scale nitro-powered (then called gas) aluminum flat pan cars powered by a .21 or smaller engine. The bodies for these cars were made of polycarbonate (the most popular made of Lexan). The most popular engine was the K&B Veco McCoy. The primary sanctioning body for races for these cars was Radio Operated Automobile Racing (ROAR). In 1973-74, Jerobee, a company based in Washington State, created their 1/12 nitro car using a Cox .049 engine. Several aftermarket companies created parts for this car including clear Lexan bodies, heat sinks, and larger fuel tanks. This scale evolved into 1/12 scale electric racing when Associated Electrics created the RC12E in 1976-77. Jerobee became Jomac and created their own electric kit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-controlled_car#The_beginnings_of_model_racing

Origins of the radio control hobby in general:

Radio control was further developed during World War II, primarily by the Germans who used it in a number of missile projects. Their main effort was the development of radio-controlled missiles and glide bombs for use against shipping, a target that is otherwise both difficult and dangerous to attack. However by the end of the war the Luftwaffe was having similar problems attacking Allied bombers, and developed a number of radio-controlled anti-aircraft missiles, none of which saw service.

You can easily assume that the US was working on the same things right here in SoCal with all the aerospace located here.(as mentioned above)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_control#Radio-controlled_models