Guinness world records
Guinness World Records, formerly known as The Guinness Book of Records, has been the leading authority on extraordinary achievements for more than 66 years. The book was initially created to settle friendly disputes amongst pub goers in 1951 but has since become a global phenomenon. Today, it is the most widely recognized and talked about reference book in the world, with over 130 million copies sold across more than 100 countries and 23 languages.
Guinness World Records (GWR) is known for its coverage of everything from sports to science, entertainment to entrepreneurship, and even the bizarre. Year after year, Guinness World Records continues to amaze and inspire us with the stunning accomplishments and feats of human imagination and dedication.
In this article, we'll delve into the history of Guinness World Records, the most remarkable records that have been set, and what it takes to get your name into the book.
The Origins of Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records started in the early 1950s, when Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of Guinness Brewers, attended a shooting party in North Slob, Co. Wexford, Ireland. During the party, he got into an argument with fellow hunters about the fastest game bird in Europe. Despite searching through numerous books, the answer remained elusive.
Sir Hugh realized that there was no definitive reference document that could provide answers to such questions, and that led him to an innovative idea. He believed that creating an all-inclusive reference book that covered impressive and remarkable facts and figures would be not just a great addition to the company's marketing efforts, but to society as a whole.
The idea appealed to his bosses at Guinness, and the first edition of Guinness World Records was published on the 27th of August 1955. The book was an instant success, with sales surpassing 100,000 copies in no time. The book was also adopted by numerous pub owners and patrons in the United Kingdom as a way of settling bar bets and friendly arguments.
The Most Impressive Records in Guinness World Records
Since its first release, Guinness World Records has seen countless remarkable feats and accomplishments. It's nearly impossible to choose just a few remarkable examples, but here's a shortlist of some that stand out:
The Tallest Man in History
Robert Wadlow, born in the United States in 1918, was the tallest man in recorded history. He stood at an unbelievable height of eight feet 11 inches (2.72 meters) and weighed approximately 439 pounds (199 kilograms). Sadly, Wadlow's towering height was a result of a hyperplasia of the pituitary gland, which caused him to keep growing throughout his life. He died at just 22 years old.
Longest Fingernails Ever
Lee Redmond, from the United States, has the world-record for the longest fingernails ever measured on a woman. She began growing her nails in 1979, and they reached a combined length of 28 feet and 4.5 inches (8.65 meters) before she lost them in a car accident in 2009. It took her more than three decades to grow them to that length!
The Oldest Professionally Engaged DJ
The oldest professionally engaged DJ is Sumiko Iwamura, also known as DJ Sumirock, from Japan. She was born on the 31st of October 1934 and began performing as a DJ when she was 77 years old. Sumirock achieved the most extended career as a non-stop party DJ at the age of 83 years and 156 days.
The Fastest Marathon Time
In 2018, Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya broke the world record when he ran the Berlin Marathon in two hours, one minute, and 39 seconds. Kipchoge has been dominating the marathon scene for several years, and he is generally regarded as one of the greatest long-distance runners of all time.
The Longest Recorded Time Underwater on a Single Breath
In 2012, German freediver Tom Sietas broke his own world record by holding his breath for an incredible 22 minutes and 22 seconds. Freediving is a sport that is popular among people who want to test their abilities to hold their breath underwater while swimming to see the marine world.
What Does it Take to Break a Guinness World Record?
Setting a Guinness World Record isn't an easy feat, and it takes a person of exceptional stamina, skill, and dedication to achieve the status of a world record holder. Here are the primary requirements and steps for setting a record:
1. Choose a world record category: Start by choosing a category from the official Guinness World Records database or like observing similar records from other organizations.
2. Read the guidelines: Every record has specific guidelines to be followed, and you need to make sure you understand them and can meet them.
3. Get official approval: Notify Guinness of your intention of trying to break a record. You will then receive an application form that must be completed and approved before the attempt.
4. Gather your Support Evidence: your attempt will require video footage and photographs of the attempt that follow strict guidelines.
5. Record the attempt: All attempts must be done in front of an impartial judge or member of the community and must be recorded on video, with signed witness statements and photographs.
6. Verify your attempt: After completing the record attempt, you must submit all supporting evidence and documentation to Guinness World Records. Your evidence must meet strict rules and standards to qualify officially.
Final Thoughts
Guinness World Records continues to inspire and amaze us with the incredible feats of human imagination and realization. Since the first publication in 1955, the book has served as a reliable source of remarkable facts and figures and a testament to human fascination. Over the years, the book has grown from settling pub disputes to a global phenomenon and a benchmark for greatness.
The book has proved a lot of people over the years that anything is possible and serves as a motivator to do, achieve, and become better in all that one does. Who knows, maybe the next Guinness World Record holder is reading this and drawing inspiration from the stories of people who have gone before them. Let's continue to dream and strive to make the impossible possible.
