Guinness World Records 2018

ROBE RT WADL OW

200

cm

225

cm

250

cm

272

cm

The year 2018 marks the centenary of the birth of Guinness World Records’ most iconic record holder, Robert Pershing Wadlow. He was the

tallest man ever

, measuring 8 ft 11.1 in (272 cm) at the time of his

death in 1940. Robert’s height was caused by an overactive pituitary gland, which produced abnormally high levels of growth hormones. Known as the

“Alton Giant” or the “Giant of Illinois”, Robert was a humble and gentle man who endeavoured to lead as ordinary a life as possible, despite his extraordinary appearance. Photographs of him still amaze and astound. His record may

well never be beaten; his legacy endures to this day.

10

YEARS OLD

195.5

cm (6

ft 5

in)

YEARS OLD

224

cm (7

ft 4

in)

ROBERT WADLOW – AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFEAge (years)

Height

Weight (where known)

5

(^5)
ft 4
in (162.5
cm)
105
lb (48
kg)
8
6
ft (182.8
cm)
169
lb (77
kg)
9
6
ft 2.25
in (188.5
cm)
180
lb (82
kg)
10
(^6)
ft 5
in (195.5
cm)
210
lb (95.6
kg)
11
6
ft 7
in (200.6
cm)

12
6
ft 10.5
in (209.5
cm)

14
7
ft 5
in (226.0
cm)
301
lb (137
kg)
15
7
ft 8
in (233.6
cm)
355
lb (161
kg)
16
7
ft 10.24
in (239.3
cm)
374
lb (170
kg)
17
8
ft 0.38
in (244.8
cm)
315
lb (143
kg)*
18
(^8)
ft 3.5
in (252.7
cm)

19
8
ft 5.5
in (257.8
cm)
480
lb (218
kg)
20
8
ft 6.75
in (260.9
cm)

21
(^8)
ft 8.25
in (264.7
cm)
491
lb (223
kg)
22
8
ft 11.1
in (272.0
cm)
439
lb (199
kg)
*weight loss owing to ill health
Born in Alton, Illinois, USA, on 22
Feb 1918,
Robert weighed an unremarkable 8
lb 6
oz
(3.8
kg) at birth. But
by the age of
eight he
had already outgrown his father Harold, who measured 182
cm (5
ft
11.5
in). A special desk
had to be built for Robert at elementary school. Word of the “Alton Giant” started to spread beyond his home town.
Inevitably, Robert’s incredible size brought him a great deal of public attention, whether in the street or being interviewed by members of the press (left). Although he agreed to tour with the Ringling Bros. Circus in
1937, Robert insisted on short,
dignified appearances, and would only wear
a business suit on stage.
As he entered his teens, Robert’s extraordinary growth showed no sign of slowing – as can be seen in family photographs featuringhis father and brother Eugene (left in picture).
When Robert joined the Boy Scouts, a special uniform had to be made to fit his 7‑ft 4–in frame, fashioned from^14
yards (12.8
m; 42
ft)
of material measuring^3
ft (0.9
m) in width.

SUPERHUMANS