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History of Radio Controlled Cars

As a hobby radio controlled cars can be an exciting and rewarding activity. There are multiple types of cars on that market. Variations exist based on ease of use, size and power source. Radio controlled cars have grown into a popular hobby over the years, but the evolution of the radio controlled car has been a gradual one. Modern choices have not always existed, but a passion for the hobby has been present from the beginning.

1960s
- The first radio controlled cars used engines from radio controlled airplanes.
  
  The first radio controlled cars appeared in the 1960s. They were built using gasoline powered engines that were originally designed for use in radio controlled airplanes. The RC. cars of the 1960s were typically 1/8 scale. The earliest ones were made by their owners, but by late in the decade companies that included WEN, Model Car Enterprises and Dynamic Models had begun producing cars commercially.
1970s
- Radio controlled cars really began to catch on in the 1970s.
  
  The 1970s saw major growth and expansion in the world of radio controlled cars. More companies entered the market with their own models. Sizes beyond the 1/8 scale that had been used in the previous decade began to appear. Before the 1970s would come to a close the first electric radio controlled cars were introduced. The first 1/8th Scale On-Road Gas World Championship was held in Geneva, Switzerland in 1979.
Off-Road Part of 1980s Explosion
- By the 1980s radio controlled cars were no longer restricted to smooth pavement.
  
  While the previous decade had seen remarkable growth in the radio controlled car market and hobby, it was nothing compared to the explosion of the 1980s. Until the very end of the 1970s radio controlled cars had been strictly on road, meaning running only on pavement. A couple off-road models emerged late in the 1970s with many more following in the 1980s. These vehicles could be run on nearly any surface, creating more open ground for the hobby to grow.
More Options Emerge
- The radio controlled car hobby exploded in the 1980s.
  
  Besides the introduction of off-road radio controlled cars, other changes were being made. There were new sizes, including 1/10th and 1/12th scale. Where once all radio controlled cars had been gasoline powered, there were electric and nitro powered vehicles available. Radio controlled cars were originally strictly for hobbyists, but toy class models had been on the market since the 1970s. Options really opened up during the 1980's and interest soared from that fact.
1990s
- Speed was the dominant trend in radio controlled cars during the 1990s.
  
  The biggest change in radio controlled cars in the 1990s was an increase in speed. Radio controlled cars were capable of reaching speeds that rivaled their larger, real, counterparts. Speeds in excess of 70 mph were not uncommon. Of course, with that increase in speed came an increase in cost of parts and cars. In addition, while electric and nitro vehicles had dominated in the 1980s, there was a renewed interest in gas powered cars.
2000s And Beyond
- The hobby of radio controlled cars remains vital, despite a smaller fan base.
  
  As the 21st century got underway, interest in the radio controlled car hobby was dropping. That's typical of the way most activities fare in the world of popularity. The trend has been continuing since then, but what the future holds for radio controlled cars is a mystery. Perhaps some new development or event will trigger resurgence in interest and the hobby will be back in high gear. Until then, there are still a core of devoted hobbyist keeping it alive.

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