Celebrating 60 years

INNES U S

G W

O S R D L R D O REC

Welcome to this special edition of the world’s biggest selling copyright book.

This book marks an important milestone in our history, as it celebrates the 60th anniversary of our first edition back in 1955. The world has changed a lot over the past six decades – the most expensive bottle of wine in our first edition, for example, would set you back a whopping £5… a far cry from the £75,000 paid for the current record holder!

It’s also amazing to discover what’s stayed the same – the tallest man, Robert Wadlow, has never been exceeded, and Bill Hailey’s “Rock Around the Clock” is, incredibly, still the biggest selling single by a group. So with this edition, we’ve got the perfect opportunity to look back through our archives for some fantastic stories to inspire a new generation of readers.

Of course, we’re still processing around a thousand claims every week, so there are plenty of exciting new records to explore in this edition. As ever, about three quarters of the book is new or updated , and our Picture Editor Michael and his team have done an exemplary job bringing the records to life with some eye-popping photography that you won’t see anywhere else.

The design has also been given a refresh, inspired this year by the clean lines and easy-to- read typography of digital tablet devices resonates soundly with the other ways in which. This our not fans only consumes results in wordsan all-new and information.look, but it

We’re also expanding the remit of our digital offerings success with our readers. We spend a lot of time researching, which the continuemarket and to provevisiting a kidsgreat and their families at home to find out what they want, and there’s a real desire to see the book connecting with the digital environment. Part of the success of Guinness World Records over its 60 years is its flexibility and willingness to adapt to changes in the world. It’s why this year we’ve got new topics such as 3D printing, crowd sourcing and photo- and video-sharing It’s also why we’ll still be in here in 60 years time, with our stopwatches and tape measures at . the ready…

So please join us in celebrating our diamond anniversary – and enjoy the book.

Best wishes

Craig Glenday Editor-in-Chief

www.guinnessworldrecords.com Officially Amazing! Celebrating the 60-year story of the biggest-selling copyrighted book

In the 1950s, Sir Hugh Beaver (left) – Managing Director discussions. If he could in October of that year, it 1999 – and a change of name of the Guinness brewery – had the idea for a book of world create such a book, he became an instant best- to its current title Guinness records that might help settle arguments in pubs. Sixty could even give it away seller, and has remained at World Records, reflecting the years on, the idea of superlatives continues to fascinate to some of the 80,000 the top of the charts ever fact that it’s more than just a and excite... and inspires millions of people to strive for or so pubs in the UK since. Within a year, it had book: it’s now a global brand as part of a promotion launched in the USA – as with, among other things, TV immortality by becoming record holders themselves. 1973 Broadcaster David Frost to sell more Guinness (second on left) acquires TV The Guinness Book of shows, museums, websites, “Turn the heat of stout. To help him with his rights for GWR specials. The World Records – and today digital apps, ebooks and, Experience GWR live Hall of Fame special seen 1999 GWR launches its argument into the light of plan, he needed to find a above appeared in 1986. first UK TV show, named is available in more than most recently, live events. Look out for the exciting new Guinness World knowledge.” This was the fact-finding agency, and simply Guinness World 100 countries in up to Records, hosted by football Records Attractions, the first of which is remit of the first ever edition luckily an underbrewer at 6 May 1954 had broken the 20 languages. star Ian Wright. Record scheduled to open in 2015. See records come of The Guinness Book of the Guinness Brewery in four-minute mile – a feat once In the years since its adjudication Records, which itself had Park Royal, London, had the thought to be impossible. The debut, the book has had a to life using cutting-edge digital technology, its origins in an argument. answer: the McWhirter twins. timekeeper for the race was Sir Hugh commissioned change of owner – it was sold As the accepted global and attempt your own records in front of On 10 Nov 1951, during That underbrewer was Norris McWhirter (1925– the McWhirters to create his by the Guinness Brewery in arbiter of record-breaking official GWR adjudicators. a shooting party at North Chris Chataway (1931–2014), 2004), who, along with his book of superlatives, and Slob, by the River Slaney an amateur athlete who identical twin Ross (1925–75), in 1954 the twins set up an in County Wexford, Ireland, acted as pacemaker for had recently set up a fact- office in a disused gym at achievement, Guinness representatives and editorial Sir Hugh Beaver (1890– Roger Bannister, who on finding agency in London. 107 Fleet Street in London. World Records now consultants dotted all 1967) – MD of the Guinness Under the name Guinness processes around 50,000 around the world. brewery – and his fellow Superlatives, they spent an claims a year, and has sent As you’ll see in this year’s fowl-hunters failed to bag intense 16 weeks pulling adjudicators as far afield as edition, we continue to evolve some golden plovers flying together the first edition the bottom of the ocean and and adapt, reflecting the ever- overhead. Could the plover of The Guinness Book of the top of the Burj Khalifa, shifting modern landscape be the fastest game bird in Records, which was bound the world’s tallest building. and providing a snapshot of Europe? A debate ensued, on 27 Aug 1955. We’ve expanded into larger the universe in which we live. but no answer could be While it was initially premises in London, and As long as humans continue found, not even in the well- intended as a promotional opened new offices in New to push the limits of what’s stocked library of Sir Hugh’s item, the book had a life York (USA), Tokyo (JPN), possible, we’ll be there host later that evening. beyond the bars, and when Beijing (CHN) and Dubai with our stopwatches and It occurred to Sir Hugh The Guinness Book of 2006 Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday welcomes the King of (ARE), with more record counters, documenting and Pop, Michael Jackson, to the London offices on the eve of the that people all over the UK 1998 Guinness World Records Primetime debuts on Fox TV Records was offered up 2006 World Music Awards, where Jackson’s Thriller album ratifying the achievements. and Ireland would be arguing on 27 Jul 1998, hosted by Mark Thompson, and runs for 53 for the public to buy (minus was acknowledged as the biggest-selling album of all time. And the next 60 years episodes; this is the company’s first ever own-brand TV show. over all sorts of topics, and the beer-proof coating!) will undoubtedly be as that perhaps a book should 1972 In the UK, the BBC produce a spin-off of TV show Blue fascinating and record- be published to settle those Peter called Record Breakers, hosted by Roy Castle (right) breaking as the last. and the McWhirter twins; it runs for nearly 30 years. First annual Guinness www.guinnessworldrecords. The 100-millionth copy of GWR celebrates celebrates GWR GWR app launches; Office opened in Office opened in First Swedish, First German edition GWR opens an office in Sir Hugh Beaver The first US edition First French edition First Japanese, Japanese, First First Hebrew, Serbo- First Slovenian edition Slovenian First First Czech edition First GWR museum opens First Dutch edition 2005 Day Records World 2000 launches com 2003 the book is sold 2010 Office openedTokyo, in Japan 2012 China Beijing, 2013 UAE Dubai, 2015 its 60th anniversary 1977 editions Icelandic and Croat 1978 1954 invites the McWhirter twins to start work on a book of superlatives 1956 published is 1962 1963 1967 Norwegian and Danish editions 1968 Finnish and Italian editions 1971 1975 in the Empire State Building 1976 1996 New York, USA

2005 Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II receives a copy of our 50th anniversary 1955 Twins Ross (left) and edition from GWR 2013 Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan accepts Norris McWhirter publish President Alistair Richards. his two GWR certificates, formost stunts by the first edition of The a living actor (more than 100 films) and most Guinness Book of Records credits in one movie (15). for the Guinness Brewery.

012 Introduction www.guinnessworldrecords.com 013 Actual Diamonds Size All the diamonds ever polished in history would fill justone double-decker bus

Largest brilliant crystals was polished into Wallis, Duchess of Windsor the 57 or 58 facets Most valuable necklace cut diamond 55 facets over several years (USA) – which included a of the “brilliant” “The Incomparable” is a necklace A 545.67-carat brilliant and finished in June 2004. Van Cleef & Arpels 1939 cut found in most containing the largest flawless diamond diamond, known as the It weighs 555.55 carats – Most valuable ruby and diamond necklace engagement rings. casino chip in the world (407.48 carats), with a further “Golden Jubilee Diamond”, the repetitive use of the – was sold at Sotheby’s The “Brilliant Lady 102 “satellite” diamonds cut into various A casino chip designed was purchased from the number five is culturally (CHE) for more than £30 m 21” cut, which was shapes. Manufactured by the jewellers diamond specialist group significant in the Islamic by Gerald N Lewy ($50 m) on 3 Apr 1987. created by Louis Mouawad, based in Switzerland, De Beers by a syndicate world – and was inspired by (CAN) was valued Verelst (BEL), has of Thai businessmen and Ran Gorenstein (BEL), who at CAN$450,000 Most expensive 221 facets, producing the necklace was valued on in 1995 was presented also commissioned it. (£287,000) on 30 May diamond sold at auction a large number of 13 Feb 2013 at an to the King of Thailand 2013. The 22-carat On 12 Nov 2013, the “Pink reflections and resulting incredible $55 m to commemorate his Most diamonds in one ring gold chip is set with Star” – a flawless pink in increased brilliance. (£35 m). golden jubilee. It is now The “Tsarevna Swan” ring, 17 round brilliant-cut diamond – was sold to mounted in the Thai which was created by the diamonds, 64 natural an anonymous bidder for royal sceptre. Lobortas Classic Jewelry pink diamonds and 76,325,000 Swiss francs House (UKR), is white gold 156 round brilliant- (£52.07 m; $83.01 m) at Largest cut fancy set with 2,525 diamonds. cut diamonds. Christie’s in Geneva, First black diamond Fully wearable, it was Switzerland. The man- An unnamed fancy black presented and measured oval-shaped made FACT diamond containing in Kiev, Ukraine, on Most expensive 59.60-carat diamond This scintillating Snoopy small red 21 Jul 2011. diamond per carat diamond In 1955, also features 783 black diamond The diamond-price record is mounted scientists in FACT diamonds and a collar The Incomparable made from 415 red ruby per carat is $1,375,938 on a ring and GE’s laboratory (£854,700) for a 7.03-carat measures in Schenectady, appeared on eBay gemstones! in 2002 with a fancy vivid-blue modified 2.69 x 2.06 cm Largest diamond New York, USA, starting price of rectangular brilliant-cut (1.06 x 0.81 in). pendant built an ultra-high- £15 m but failed diamond sold at Sotheby’s It took two pressure apparatus to sell. The largest non- Most in Geneva, Switzerland, on years to cut. called the “Diamond religious pendant is 12 May 2009. It was cut Press”. The press valuable “Crunk Ain’t Dead”, from an original stone that Most faceted produced pressure of owned by hip-hop Snoopy weighed 26.58 carats. diamond over 1 billion kg/m2 Actual artist Lil’ Jon (USA). Size Diamonds are cut (1.5 million lb/sq in) On 13 Nov 2009, to celebrate With 3,576 white Most expensive jewellery with varying numbers and up to 2,760°C the 60th anniversary of Charles diamonds, it weighs collection sold at auction of facets to enhance their (5,000°F). Metal Schulz’s cartoon-strip canine Snoopy, Tse Sui Luen 977.6 g (34.4 oz) The jewellery collection sparkle (see below), the and carbon were Jewellery of Hong Kong, China, created a 14-cm- Actual without its chain. tall (5.5-in) “Diamond Snoopy” encrusted with 9,917 that had belonged to Size most common being melted together diamonds. Also known as “The Ever-Shining Star”, using an electrical the 207-carat creation went on sale with a price tag current and then cooled. of HK$2,888,880 (£224,960; $372,750). Largest uncut diamond The result: perfectly formed Most valuable man-made diamonds up to materials in The largest ever single rough uncut diamond 1/10th carat in weight. Largest diamond into a diamond some a work of art was the “Cullinan”, which The largest man- First 100% in the universe 4,000 km (2,500 mi) weighed 3,106.75 carats when made cut diamond is diamond ring BPM 37093 is a white dwarf across. The star has For the Love of God by found in 1905 in South Africa. It a 2.16-carat synthetic On 8 Mar 2012, star 50 light years from been nicknamed “Lucy” Damien Hirst (UK) is a was cut into nine smaller diamonds, marquis-cut diamond Shawish Jewellery Earth in the constellation after The Beatles’ song human skull encrusted with the largest of which, the “Great Star of created by the Scio (CHE) unveiled of Centaurus. In 2004, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamond Technology 8,601 flawless diamonds, Africa”, weighs 530.2 carats and tops the first ring to be astronomers from the Diamonds”. Assuming the Corporation (USA). including a 52.4-carat pink the Royal Sceptre (left) wielded by the made entirely from Harvard-Smithsonian cost of £1,000 per carat, The 13.42-mm (0.5-in) a diamond. The diamond in the forehead. UK’s Queen Elizabeth II. The next largest Center for Astrophysics Lucy would set you back The total 1,106.18 carats of diamond was tested 150-carat creation in Massachusetts, USA, £10,000,000,000,000, fragment – the “Second Star of Africa” – in April 2013 by the diamonds were reported to is reportedly worth deduced that the carbon 000,000,000,000,000,000, sits in the Queen’s Imperial State Crown. Gemological Institute $70 m (£43.5 m). white dwarf had crystallized 000,000 (£10 undecillion). cost a dazzling £12 m ($23.7 m). of America.

Anatomy of a diamond: The “brilliant” CUT “Baby” Rock stars: Largest heist: the 90-second break-in A diamond is “cut” – that is, shaped and Enlarged girdle Williams Diamonds defined polished – to enhance its beauty and brilliance. At lunchtime on 28 Jul 2013, an armed The latest fashion Diamond – the world’s hardest natural Top view Bottom view accessory for any self- man entered the Carlton International Upper Side view substance – is a mineral formed girdle Girdle respecting rapper is 140–200 km down in the Earth’s hotel (right) in Cannes, France. His facet “grillz” – i.e., diamond mantle. It is a form (allotrope) of the target: jewellery worth 103 m euros dentures. The king of Star chemical element carbon (C) in (£89 m). He single-handedly pulled off facet bling is undoubtedly which the atoms are arranged Bryan “Baby” Williams the biggest diamond heist ever, in just Upper Lower in a tetrahedral crystalline main girdle (USA), who reportedly formation. Diamonds are one-and-a-half minutes. The diamond- facet facet spent a record $500,000 measured in carats, with encrusted watches, rings and earrings Pavilion (£312,500) on having his one carat equal to 200 mg. main teeth permanently fitted For each carat of he stole (left) belonged to Lev Leviev facet with 18-carat white gold diamond mined, – a Soviet-born Israeli diamond and Table and platinum crowns 250 tonnes of earth property mogul – and had been on Culet: flattened set with asher-cut have to be excavated. Crown: upper part of the cut apex of the lower Pavilion: lower part of the cut diamonds. display in an exhibition at the hotel. diamond, usually with 33 facets facets (optional) Enlarged culet diamond, usually with 25 facets

002 Introduction www.guinnessworldrecords.com 003 furman’s favourites Ashrita has broken records on all seven continents, including Key completing the fastest mile on a pogo stick in Antarctica and Mr Versatility bouncing the fastest mile on a kangaroo ball along the Great Record set then later lost Wall of China. Here, he picks his most memorable records. Still holds record 2003 Fastest skipping Most consecutive forward rolls 19.67 km No sooner had work started on the first edition of The Guinness Book of marathon (no rope): 5 hr 55 min 13 sec Greatest distance with milk bottle on 130.3 km Records in London than a boy was born in New York City, USA, who would go on to become the undisputed king of record-breaking. His name was LR: Gone back Pogo stick distance - 11.5 miles - up and check this one 2006 Fastest mile to Ashrita on Keith Furman, but today he’s better known by his spiritual name: Ashrita. spinning a whip the records Underwater pogo stick jumping in the check this one top: 25 min 13 sec to check, It may be only a coincidence 25 years before he would set 1986 Most Amazon River - 3 hours 40 minutes continuous forward which don’t appear on the that the man who holds the the first of many Guinness rolls: 8,341 Fastest sack race mile (against a yak) 16 min 41 sec Guinness World Records World Records titles, he has database> title for the most Guinness accomplished more in his last Squats in one hour - 3,038 in a hot air check this one World Records titles held 36 years than most people 2011 Most apples was born within a month of could achieve in 10 lifetimes. Pool cue balancing continuous distance Check this one snapped in 1 minute: 40 the birth of the company, but The manager of a health Fastest mile pushing an orange with the 22 min 41 sec it is a joyous coincidence all food store, Furman was the same. Keith Furman was given the name Ashrita – Fastest 8 km on stilts 39 min 56 sec born on 16 Sep 1954, and Sanskrit for “Protected although it would be another by God” – by his spiritual Fastest 5 km skipped without a rope 30 min teacher Sri Chinmoy (IND, 1931–2007), who taught For the him the philosophy of 2009 Fastest 10 m balancing record self-transcendence and 2011 Most baseballs a pool cue on the held in a glove: 24 Ashrita set his 100th meditation. Using these chin: 3.02 sec record on 14 Feb lessons, Ashrita set his first 2009. As of 9 Jan record in 1979 – 27,000 2014, Mr Versatility star jumps (jumping jacks) 2004 Fastest mile had successfully while hula hooping: attempted an incredible – and hasn’t looked back. 2008 Fastest 14 min 25 sec time to walk 494 records, 170 of As of January 2014, he’s set 2007 Farthest distance 1 mile on which he still holds. jumped underwater on a stilts: 12 min nearly 500 records! Call him pogo stick: 512.06 m (1,680 ft) Mr Versatility… 23 sec

1997 Farthest distance jumped on a pogo stick: 37.18 km (23.11 mi)

1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

1998 Farthest distance 2007 Fastest walked with a milk bottle on 2010 Longest control mile on pogo the head: 130.3 km (80.96 mi) of a golf ball with one stick while 2009 Fastest time club: 1 hr 20 min 42 sec juggling three to cover 1 mile balls: 23 min while balancing a 28 sec book on the head: 8 min 27 sec Ashrita… in his own words 2004 Fastest time to walk “My teacher’s philosophy of self-transcendence – 8 km on stilts: 39 min 56 sec 2010 Fastest of overcoming your limits and making progress 1-mile piggy- back race: spiritually, creatively and physically using the 12 min 47 sec 2007 Most power of meditation – really thrills me. If you can skips on connect with your inner source and be receptive spring-loaded stilts in one to a higher Grace, you can accomplish anything. minute: 106 “Attempting records has become an inherent 2012 Longest part of my spiritual journey. I scour the Guinness duration balancing World Records book looking for categories a chainsaw on the I think will be challenging and fun. Many of chin: 1 min 25.01 sec the records involve childlike activities such as juggling, hopscotch, unicycling, pogo-sticking and balancing objects on my head and chin. I get 1999 Farthest joy not only in practising the activity itself, but distance carrying a 9-lb brick also in seeing my progress towards achieving a non-stop (male): goal. The particular event is unimportant as long 136.87 km (85.0 mi) as it gives you the opportunity to dance on the 2010 Longest time to juggle 2012 Fastest mile 2012 Fastest 5 km edge of your capacity.” three objects underwater: bounce-juggling three joggling in swim 1 hr 19 min 58 sec 2010 Fastest 100 m objects: 7 min 27 sec fins: 32 min 3 sec frog jumping: 7 min 18 sec 088 Recordmania www.guinnessworldrecords.com 089 Top Ten Richest Of the richest person record holders over the last 60 years, only Richest people three feature in the most recent Forbes round-up of the wealthiest. FACT Even if he spent $1 m a day, it would still take the richest man nearly 200 years to spend all of his cash! Name Amount Industry Age If Bill Gates were still worth $120 bn Carlos Slim Helú (MEX) $73 bn Telecoms 73 Meet the oil barons, retail magnates and tech tycoons who are all today, his wealth Bill Gates (USA) $67 bn Software 58 would be greater members of the exclusive Guinness World Records Diamond Club – the than the GDP of Key 16 men (and yes, they’re all men, and all but four of them American) who’ve Amancio Ortega (ESP) $57 bn Textiles 77 134 of the world’s Each bar represents the dollar held the record for the wealthiest living person over the past 60 years. 192 countries. value of each person in a given Warren Buffett (USA) $53.5 bn Investment 83 year; bars are shown to scale “The meek shall inherit started publishing in 1955 is based on their actual known Larry Ellison (USA) $43 bn Software 69 wealth at the time, plus this figure the Earth, but not its Bill Gates (USA). Adjusted for adjusted for inflation to the value $100 bn Charles Koch (USA) $34 bn Engineering 78 mineral rights.” So said inflation, his software-based at today’s figures. Jean Paul Getty (USA), fortune via Microsoft reached David Koch (USA) $34 bn Engineering 73 the oil baron who was the an almost inconceivable inflation adjusted world’s richest person $120 bn (£75 bn) in 2000. Li Ka-Shing (HKG) $31 bn Diverse 85 for seven of the last 60 It was built on the back of $90 bn Liliane Bettencourt (FRA) $30 bn Cosmetics 91 actual years. He was not alone the dot-com boom which, in oil – one in four of our in the USA, saw the value Bernard Arnault (FRA) $29 bn Luxury goods 64 featured billionaires owed of shares on the NASDAQ Source: forbes.com/billionaires/list their megabucks to a stock exchange more than King Bhumibol Adulyadej $80 bn vice-like grip on our natural double in the year up to One sure-fire way to riches is to be born to resources. 10 Mar 2000. Alas, all good them. Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Oil is no longer such a things come to an end, with assets of $30 bn (£21 bn), is the richest king. More recent entrants to and the wheel of fortune For the record monarch. Here he is with Brunei’s Sultan Haji the Billionaires’ Club found crushed many of those same $70 bn their fortunes by trading in companies: just 12 months Hassanal Bolkiah (left), the second richest Who wants to be a quadrillionaire? In June less tangible goods such as later most NASDAQ dot- monarch, with a mere $20 bn (£14 bn) – but 2013, it was reported that Christopher software, media rights or a coms had ceased trading. what’s a few billion between royal friends? Reynolds (USA) became the first trillionaire and first quadrillionaire when a (brief) near magical ability to read Bill Gates survived, bank error in his favour resulted in a balance the stock markets. although by the end of 2001 $60 bn of $92,233,720,368,547,800 in his PayPal In real terms, the richest even he was down to his last account. Reportedly, when asked what he would have man to emerge since we $77.8 bn (£48.5 bn). Did you know? spent the money on, Reynolds said, “I probably would have paid down the national debt.” Alternatively, he could Assessing the super- have purchased the most expensive house, Antilia in $50 bn rich’s huge wealth is Mumbai, India, 76 million times. a mixture of forensic FACT accounting and the art The business of guess-timation. GWR card of gangster now relies on the figures Alphonse Gabriel produced by Forbes “Al” Capone read: $40 bn but this wasn’t always “Second-hand the case. We have furniture dealer”. FACT occasionally disputed JT Williamson’s which billionaire had wealth was never the most money, $30 bn stated explicitly in the although we’ve always first Guinness Book agreed that anyone on of Records: his entry our lists was bound to merely stated that his be very rich indeed. wealth “transcends Al Capone $20 bn all other personal fortunes”. Our 1960 edition records the belief that Chicago gangster Al Capone (USA, 1899–1947) held the record for the highest gross income ever achieved in a single year by a private citizen. $10 bn Adjusted for inflation, he earned $1.88 bn (£1.2 bn) from a trade we said included “illegal liquor trading and alky-cookers (illicit stills)” as well as “dog tracks, dance halls... and vice”. 1975 1970 2010 1980 1995 1960 1990 1955 1965 1985 2005 The rich list: highest rollers, 1955–2015 2000

John Thoburn Jean Paul Getty Haroldson Howard Hughes Daniel K Ludwig John D MacArthur Forrest Mars, Sr David Packard Gordon Getty Sam Walton Yoshiaki Tsutsumi S Robson Walton John Werner Warren Buffett Bill Gates Carlos Slim Helú Williamson (USA, 1892–1976) Lafayette Hunt (USA, 1905–76) (USA, 1897–1992) (USA, 1897–1978) (USA, 1904–99) (USA, 1912–96) (USA, b. 1933) (USA, 1918–92) (JPN, b. 1934) (USA, b. 1944) Kluge (DEU, (USA, b. 1930) (USA, b. 1955) (MEX, b. 1940) (CAN, 1907–58) Record: 1958, (USA, 1889–1974) Record: 1968–70 Record: 1972–77, Record: 1978 Record: 1982–83 Record: 1984–85 Record: 1986 Record: 1987–88 Record: 1989 Record: 1993 1914–2010) Record: 1995–96, Record: 1997– Record: 2011–14 Record: 1955–56 1960–61, 1964–67 Record: 1962 Industry: Inherited 1979–81 Industry: Industry: Food, Industry: IT and Industry: Father’s Industry: Retailing Industry: Industry: Oldest Record: 1994 2009 2008, 2010 Industry: Industry: Industry: Oil, Industry: Oil father’s tool Industry: Shipping, Insurance (with building on father’s computing, co- oil empire, selling empire based Developing and son of Sam Walton, Industry: Mainly Industry: Investing Industry: Software Telecoms, after Minerals, founded building on empire empire based in business, moved oil, banking, wife Catherine), Mars candy founding Hewlett- to Texaco in around Walmart expanding father’s chairman of media, including in a diverse range engineering, stockbroking, Williamson of father George Texas, after running into aviation, also cattle, insurance, property, mainly business, leaving Packard with Bill contentious deal chain stores, property-based Walmart (biggest TV, radio and of companies all founder of investment and diamond mine Franklin Getty cotton plantation film production property, hotels in Florida, USA company in 1969 Hewlett in 1939 for $10 bn in 1984 founded 1962 business empire retailer in 2013) advertising over the world Microsoft general business Peak: $60 m Peak: $3 bn Peak: $2 bn Peak: $1.37 bn Peak: $3 bn Peak: $1.72 bn Peak: $1 bn Peak: $1.8 bn Peak: $4.1 bn Peak: $21 bn Peak: $21 bn Peak: $10 bn Peak: $ 8.1 bn Peak: $62 bn Peak: $90 bn Peak: $74 bn Adjusted: $514 m Adjusted: $22.2 bn Adjusted: $15.2 bn Adjusted: $9 bn Adjusted: $16.5 bn Adjusted: $6 bn Adjusted: $12.3 bn Adjusted: $3.98 bn Adjusted: $9.06 bn Adjusted: $42.4 bn Adjusted: $38.9 bn Adjusted: $15.9 bn Adjusted: $12.5 bn Adjusted: $ 66.1 bn Adjusted: $120 bn Adjusted: $74 bn

Adjusted wealth estimated in 2014

122 Modern World www.guinnessworldrecords.com 123 Humans Contents The world population has doubled during the past 45 years to just over seven billion Flashback: 60 years of pushing the limits 072 Senses & perception 074 Oldest people 076 Dimensions 078 Extreme bodies 080 Family matters 082 Medical bag 084

Longest fingernails FACT on a pair of hands (female) Fingernails grow at around 3.5 mm She’s nailed it: Chris “The Dutchess” Walton (USA) has a set of fingernails per month. And measuring 3.62 m (11 ft 10 in) for her left hand and 3.68 m (12 ft 1 in) for men’s nails usually her right hand – a total of 7.3 m (23 ft 11 in). Chris’s twisting talons were grow faster than measured in London, UK, on 16 Sep 2013. women’s.

070 Diamond Anniversary Special Edition www.guinnessworldrecords.com 071 Wacky wheels Wheels were already being used for transport 5,500 years ago… but not like this! FACT Matt smashed his own record for this feat – a mere 73.61 km/h – which he had set earlier on the same day.

Fastest toilet The “Bog Standard” consists of a motorcycle and sidecar hidden under a bathroom set comprising a Largest Tallest limousine car Victorian-style throne toilet, monster truck Gary and Shirley Duval bathtub, sink and laundry Bigfoot 5 is 4.7 m (15 ft 6 in) (both AUS) have made a bin. Created by Edd China tall with 3-m-high (10-ft) lofty limo that measures Fastest motorized (UK), this mobile restroom tyres and weighs in at more 3.33 m (10 ft 11 in) tall. The shopping trolley can reach a speed of than 17 tonnes (38,000 lb). It record-breaking car has an 68 km/h (42.25 mph). is one of a fleet of 17 Bigfoot eight-wheel independent Bringing a whole new meaning to the A past master in mobile trucks created by Bob suspension system and sits words “speed shopping”, Matt McKeown furniture, Edd has also made Chandler (USA) and was on eight monster truck tyres. (UK) reached 113.2 km/h (70.4 mph) the fastest garden shed built in 1986. Permanently It has eight-wheel steering, in a shopping trolley at Elvington Airfield (94 km/h; 58 mph), bed parked in St Louis, Missouri, two engines and took a little in North Yorkshire, UK, on 23 Jul 2013. (111 km/h; 69 mph) and USA, Bigfoot 5 makes over 4,000 hours (166 days) office (140 km/h; 87 mph)! occasional exhibition to complete. appearances at local shows.

Smallest caravan The QTvan is just 2.39 m (7 ft 10 in) long, 1.53 m (5 ft) high and 79 cm (2 ft 7 in) wide. It was manufactured by the Environmental Transport Association (UK) and measured in Aylesbury, UK, on 5 Jun 2013. Below, designer Yannick Read (UK) shows off his compact creation. FACT “The Hornster” was built to highlight the dangers cyclists face on busy roads. It’s louder than a clap of thunder! Lowest Heaviest roadworthy car rideable tricycle The “Mirai” car measures just Wouter van den Bosch 45.2 cm (1 ft 5 in) from the (NLD) has constructed Loudest bicycle horn ground to its highest part. It a tricycle that’s truly off Not content simply was made by students and the scale, weighing in at a with creating the smallest teachers of the Automobile colossal 750 kg (1,650 lb). caravan (see p.192), the Engineering Course of Wouter took his heavyweight Environmental Transport Okayama Sanyo High School creation for a Association (UK) has in Asakuchi, Japan, on ride in Arnhem, developed a bicycle horn 15 Nov 2010. “Mirai” means Netherlands, in capable of emitting a honk “future” in Japanese. May 2010. measuring 136.2 dB(A) (decibels) from a distance of 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in). “The Hornster” was demonstrated by Yannick Read on 13 Feb Smallest 2013 in Weybridge, Surrey, roadworthy car UK. It uses a modified freight The ideal complement for train horn, powered by a the smallest caravan, this scuba-diving tank! diminutive car measures 63.5 cm (2 ft 1 in) high, 65.4 cm (2 ft 1.75 in) wide and 1.26 m (4 ft 1.75 in) long. It was made by Austin Longest golf cart Coulson (USA) and measured From bumper to bumper, the longest golf cart stretches an impressive in Carrollton, Texas, USA, on 9.62 m (31 ft 6 in) and was created by Mike’s Golf Carts (USA). The cart 7 Sep 2012. For wild wheel skills, flip to p.114 was measured in Perry, Georgia, USA, on 30 May 2013.

192 Technology & Engineering www.guinnessworldrecords.com 193 FACT 01 02 Seven Summits 24 climbers have died on El Capitan in The total number of successful climbs of Mount Everest is 5,112 the USA since 1905 02 – 13 of them on the summit. The expedition was “Nose”. 01 led by Henry Cecil John FACT Hunt (UK). Climbing helmets The “Nose” is a protect the skull ridge that separates against falling debris Person to summit two and impact forces Double lens anti-fog the two rock faces during a fall. of El Capitan. It is 8,000ers in a day ski goggles protect the Fastest climb eyes from glare and the best-known On 15 May 2012, Michael 03 from icy particles flying climbing route. Horst (USA) crossed from of Everest Greatest climber of all time? up from the ground. the top of Mount Everest, It took Eamon Fullen along the South Col, to the (UK) five years to climb When it comes to scaling precipitous peaks, Belay gloves typically top of Lhotse, the fourth- few climbers can top Reinhold Messner (ITA). have heat-resistant the highest peaks in padding on the palm highest peak. This feat is Other mountaineers may have made more and fingers. also the fastest time to all the countries on solo climbs, but Messner is the master of 03 reach the summit of two the African continent. high-altitude, high-risk feats. The photograph 8,000ers, taking just over He finally achieved his shows Messner in 1980 with a picture of 20 hours. task by topping Libya’s First woman to climb Everest twice Mount Everest. Bikku Bitti peak on in one season Ascent of K2 by a woman 25 Dec 2005. Wanda Rutkiewicz (POL) Chhurim Dolma Sherpa (NPL) scaled Everest twice in a single climbing season 05 04 scaled K2 on 23 Jun 1986, – the first time a woman has achieved this remarkable feat. She reached the Vernon Tejas 05 A multi-purpose ice becoming the first woman oldest person and snow tool used peak from the Nepal side on 12 May 2012 and again on 19 May. to climb the peak. On to climb… Takao Arayama (JPN) by mountaineers in conquered all of the Seven Summits – frozen conditions. 17 May 2010, Edurne the highest peaks on each continent Climbing ropes consist Pasaban Lizarribar (ESP) Everest – when he completed his climb of of a core of long Most people on Mount 10 min on 21 May 2004. 1983, Erhard Loretan and became the first woman The Japanese alpinist Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, on twisted fibres and an outer sheath of woven Everest on a single day Although his time was Marcel Rüedi (both CHE) to climb all 14 peaks over Yuichiro Miura (b. 12 Oct 18 Feb 2010 at the age of 74 years coloured fibres. On 19 May 2012, 234 contested by a rival Sherpa, climbed Gasherbrum II, 8,000 m (undisputed) by 1932) made a successful 138 days. Takao Arayama conquered climbers ascended Everest, the Nepalese government Gasherbrum I and Broad summitting Shisha Pangma summit of Mount Everest on all of the Seven Summits. the most on a single day, and tourist ministry upheld Peak in 15 days. All three in Tibet. A month earlier, 23 May 2013 at the age of smashing the previous the record. mountains lie on the Oh Eun-Sun (KOR) had 80 years 223 days. An 8,000-m mountain record of 170. Congestion Pakistani-Chinese border. claimed this title, but doubt without bottled oxygen 06 Fastest time to climb A harness is a system is a serious issue on the Ascent of the 8,000ers was cast on her summit Kilimanjaro The only undisputed record used for connecting world’s highest mountain, Jerzy Kukuczka (POL) Ascent of the of Kangchenjunga in 2009 Martin Kafer topped Mount holder for this category El Capitan the rope to the climber with 3,721 climbers having climbed the 14 peaks higher Seven Summits and her record remains Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, aged is Carlos Soria Fontán and is worn around The speediest ascent of El Capitan (2,308 m; the pelvis and hips. reached the summit since than 8,000 m (26,246 ft) in Vernon Tejas (USA) climbed disputed. The first woman 85 years 144 days on 1 Oct (ESP, b. 5 Feb 1939), who 1953. The deadliest day 7 years 11 months 14 days the highest peak on each of to summit all 8,000ers 2012. He made the climb topped Gasherbrum I 7,573 ft) in California, USA, via the “Nose” on Everest was 10 May between 4 Oct 1979, when the seven continents between without oxygen was with his wife, Esther Kafer without bottled oxygen on route was achieved by Hans Florine and Alex 07 1996, when eight climbers he reached the summit of 18 Jan and 31 May 2010 – a Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner (CHE, b. 23 Apr 1928). The 3 Aug 2009, aged 70 years Honnold (both USA) in 2 hr 23 min 51 sec perished in a blizzard. Lhotse (8,516 m; 27,939 ft) record time of just 134 days. (AUT), who made her trip saw her become the 179 days. on 17 Jun 2012 – almost 13 minutes faster on the Nepal/Tibet border, last summit (K2) on oldest woman to climb than the previous record. Ordinarily, it can Fastest… and 18 Sep 1987, when he First… 23 Aug 2011. Kilimanjaro, at the age The Seven Summits take mountaineers up to three days to scale 07 climbed Shisha Pangma of 84 years 161 days. (female) the near-vertical precipice by this route. Ascent of Mount Everest (8,027 m; 26,335 ft) in Tibet. Ascent of Everest Carolyn “Kay” LeClaire Carabiners are metal Florine also recorded the fastest time to climb loops with spring- Pemba Dorje Sherpa (NPL) Mount Everest was (USA, b. 8 Mar 1949) El Capitan solo, scaling the mountain in 11 hr loaded gates and are ascended the south side 8,000-m hat-trick conquered at 11:30 a.m. completed her ascents of used as connectors. 41 min on 30 Jul 2005. of Everest in a time of 8 hr The “8,000er hat-trick” is on 29 May 1953 when the Seven Summits when the feat of climbing three Edmund Percival Hillary she conquered Everest on For more explorers of Earth’s 14 peaks over (NZL) and Tenzing Norgay 23 May 2009 at the age of turn to p.89 8,000 m (26,246 ft). In June (IND/CHN) reached the 60 years 76 days. Fastest time The seven summits Everest to climb Mount The Japanese alpinist Everest and K2 As with many mountaineering distinctions, the Seven Summits are disputed. Some climbers consider Yuichiro Miura (b. 12 Oct Kosciuszko in Australia over Carstensz, and others view the Europe/Asia border to place Elbrus in It took Karl Unterkircher (ITA, 08 Asia, and thus Mount Blanc becomes Europe’s highest mountain. 1932) made a successful 1970–2008) just 63 days to Tailored trousers prevent summit of Mount Everest on climb the two highest peaks restriction of movement Continent Mountain Location Height First climbed 23 May 2013 at the age of with features such as on Earth. He summitted articulated knee joints Africa Kilimanjaro Tanzania 5,895 m (19,340 ft) 6 Oct 1889 80 years 223 days. Everest (8,848 m; 29,029 ft) on and diamond crotch. 24 May 2004 and K2 (8,611 m; 28,251 ft) on 26 Jul Antarctica Vinson Antarctica 4,892 m (16,050 ft) 18 Dec 1966 Kilimanjaro 2004, both without the aid of oxygen. Martin Kafer (CHE, 09 Asia Everest Nepal/China 8,848 m (29,029 ft) 29 May 1953 b. 10 May 1927) topped First ascent of Mount Everest Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Australasia Carstensz Pyramid Indonesia 4,884 m (16,023 ft) 13 Feb 1962 by a woman aged 85 years 144 days on 10 A crampon is a 09 To increase the foot’s 1 Oct 2012. grip on a rock face Europe Elbrus Russia 5,642 m (18,510 ft) 27 Jul 1874 Junko Tabei (JPN) climbed Mount Everest on traction device used to improve mobility on the shoe is covered with a vulcanized North America Denali USA 6,194 m (20,322 ft) 7 Jun 1913 16 May 1975. On 28 June 1992, she became the K2 snow and ice during ice climbing. rubber layer. first woman to climb the Seven Summits Yuichiro Miura (JPN, South America Aconcagua Argentina 6,962 m (22,838 ft) 14 Jan 1897 (the highest peak on each continent) when b. 12 Oct 1932) made a Source: www.8000ers.com she topped Puncak Jaya. Junko Tabei (JPN) successful summit of K2 on 23 May 2013 at the age of climbed Mount Everest on 16 May 1975. 10 80 years 223 days.

150 Great Journeys www.guinnessworldrecords.com 151 Inside 2015 New spreads • New topics • New photographs Tables and charts condense the records down into Want to find out their most basic form Guinness World Records Diamond Edition more? Follow the and provide a detailed source of reference Galleries From the very edition back in 1955, Guinness World Records has committed FACT cross references. This year’s design is to bringing readers a snapshot of our universe as seen through the lens of the Look out for our influenced by the look, special picture features superlative. This new edition explores the evolution of record-breaking since our feel and useability of in the 2015 edition: launch, as well as keeping readers bang up to date on all the latest and greatest digital devices such Fun facts, snippets of superlative achievements. as smartphones and trivia and at-a-glance • Earth from space tablets. stats are picked out in a series of box features • Animals in action 40 pages of sporting • Extreme bodies achievements, including • Big orchestra Supporting the book is the all the major new records official website, which has also across every major sport • Curious claimants enjoyed a fresh for 2-15. Join the Spread-by-spread, each chapter • Videogamers community of online record fans builds into a work of reference at www.guinnessworldrecords. touching on topics ranging from • Wacky wheels com... 12 million unique annual classic areas of interest – such visits and counting! as animals, sports and science – as well as the quirkier side to life, such as the search for extra- terrestrial intelligence, big food and fakes, frauds and forgeries. Flashbacks Each chapter opens Look out for Actual record-breakers with a anniversary- Online reviews Size illustrated at their actual size! themed exploration of recordbreaking covering “Brilliant book. I bought it for a Xmas present for the last 60 years of... my grandson but couldn’t • Exploring space resist looking through • New species it. It is full of interesting Colour-coded chapters and • Monitoring Planet Earth information well worth the features to help organize the information and improve • Highest earners price paid.” readability and clarity. • Movie blockbusters ***** • Ashrita Furman, aka “Bought as a birthday Mr Versatility present for 10-year-old boy. Without doubt the best present he had. Already well thumbed and read. Good price too. Thanks, recommended.” ***** “We have purchased the Guinness book of World Records every year since our oldest was able to read. It’s a wonderful family tradition, and this year (as always) the

Guinness people have Infographics present record- produced an updated breaking facts and stats in an edition that has family- eyecatching and reader-friendly Flashback features take A “control strip” on each of the Gallery spreads present a visual record One of the elements visual format. you on a record-breaking friendly fun on every page” standard record spreads delivers a of recent and classic superlatives of the “control strip” journey through time to see series of bite-sized records, trivia is an illustrated how records have evolved. and stats, giving readers a fun, mini feature on one ***** informative supplement to the main particular aspect of - Amazon.com spread topic. the spread topic.

Flashback to InfographicS: MAKING THE BOOK the 1st edition Diamond seller: The record-breaking record book Stop Press FACT This occasional boxed Short, snappy did-you- The 100-millionth copy of Guinness World x8 feature looks back at a Other features of the know facts, such as: in Records was sold in 2004, although the title Control Panel include… record as listed in one the English-speaking • Stop Press: last-minute of our earlier books, world, GWR has a 98% had by then already earned its own slot in the x2.5 prompted recall records archive as the biggest-selling book in entries to keep the book x27 highlighting how much as up-to-date as possible 176 Forty-foot containers the world has moved on copyright. In the 1975 edition (left), our founding • Glossary: n., a list used for transport Finished books will Stacked on end, that’s 2.5 – or not! – over the past editors Norris and Ross McWhirter announced of explanations and weigh over 3,000 tonnes times the height of the Burj 60 years. Find out about For the that, in November 1974, The Guinness Book definitions That’s about the weight of Khalifa the world’s tallest • Do Try This At Home: 64 Tonnes of ink the records we no longer record of Records, “first sold in October 1955 and 27 blue whales, the largest man-made structure! records you can attempt required to print animal in the world! monitor (and why), the That’s about 8 double- The Guinness World [with] total sales in 14 languages now running from the comfort of your decker London buses! achievements have Records mission is to at 60,000 a week, surpassed the 23,916,000 of own home never been bettered, entertain and inform, One pile of books x6 The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child • At A Glance: quick facts would reach 51km high and the people who’ve and to celebrate the and stats at your fingertips That’s almost 6 times the world’s best Care by Dr Benjamin Spock”. height of Mount Everest! made record-breaking their life.

Topics subject to change www.guinnessworldrecords.com FACT Fishes Thresher sharks are believed to use their The whale shark is not a shark; a starfish isnot a fish; an electric eel is not an eel tails to herd and then stun schools of milling fish ready FACT long, almost twice the Smallest fish for eating. water in Europe, venom into their victims. There are more fish length of the whale shark, The smallest adult fish – before abruptly The stonefish (family in the Amazon River the biggest fish alive and indeed the smallest Actual evolving into breeding Synanceiidae) of the tropical than there are in all of Europe. today (see p.42). vertebrate – is a sexually Size condition, changing colour to waters of the Indo-Pacific mature male Photocorynus become silver and growing a are highly venomous. Largest freshwater fish spiniceps, which measures longer snout and larger eyes. Synanceia horrida has the The largest fish that just 6.2 mm (0.24 in) Slowest fish The much-altered animal then largest venom glands of spends its whole life long and is found in the The slowest-moving begins a marathon trek to the any known fish. Direct in fresh or brackish Philippine Sea. This species marine fish are the species’ spawning grounds contact with the spines water is the Mekong of anglerfish reproduces sea horses (family Longest fin in the Sargasso Sea, east of of its fins, which contain a giant catfish (Pangasius through sexual parasitism. Syngnathidae), of North America. strong neurotoxic poison, All three species of thresher shark (family gigas), principally of the The male permanently which there are just can prove fatal. Mekong River basin, attaches itself to the over 30 species. Some Alopiidae) have a huge, scythe-shaped caudal Most venomous fish The most poisonous and Pangasius sanitwongsei, larger female by biting her of the smaller species (tail) fin that is roughly as long as the body itself. Poisonous creatures contain fish is the puffer fish The largest and most common species, Alopias mainly of the Chao Phraya back, belly or sides and such as the dwarf sea poison within their bodies, (Tetraodon) of the Red Sea Fastest fish Largest carp species River basin, both native effectively turning her into horse (Hippocampus vulpinus, found worldwide in temperate and which they pass on to any and Indo-Pacific region, to south-east Asia. Both a hermaphrodite. zosterae), which tropical seas, grows to 6 m (19 ft 8 in) in length, creatures that consume, which delivers a fatally The cosmopolitan The Siamese giant carp (Catlocarpio siamensis), species are reputed to The smallest reaches a maximum of which almost 3 m (9 ft 10 in) consists of this or even touch them, poisonous toxin called sailfish (Istiophorus aka giant barb, is the largest of the cyprinid (carp) grow to 3 m (9 ft 10 in) and freshwater fish is the length of only 4.2 cm greatly elongated upper tail fin. while venomous tetrodotoxin. Its ovaries, platypterus) is family. The longest known specimen measured weigh 300 kg (660 lb). The dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka (1.6 in), probably creatures inject eggs, blood, liver, intestines considered to be 3 m (9 ft 10 in), although the longest specimens Arapaima gigas of South pygmaea), a colourless never attain speeds of the fastest species currently reported – such as the 102-kg (225-lb) America is reported to reach and nearly transparent more than 0.016 km/h Philippines. Males are only of fish over short barb above – are around 1.8 m (5 ft 10 in) in length. 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in) long, but species found in the streams (0.001 mph). 7.5–9.9 mm (0.29–0.38 in) distances, although weighs only 200 kg (440 lb). and lakes of Luzon in the long and weigh just 4–5 mg. FACT practical difficulties Technically, there is no make measurements Largest fish ever Highest living fish such thing as a “fish” – extremely difficult to In 2008, two palaeontology The Tibetan loach (family the creatures on these secure. Trials at the pages are from many students discovered a Cobitidae) is found at an Long Key Fishing Longest bony fish different animal families. specimen of the marine FACT altitude of 5,200 m (17,060 ft) Camp in Florida, USA, The lengthiest of the bony or “true” fishes (class Pisces, aka Osteichthyes – fossil species Leedsichthys An oarfish seen in the Himalayas. suggested a top speed see “For the record”, below) is the oarfish (Regalecus glesne), or the “King swimming by a team of 109 km/h (68 mph). problematicus in claypits of scientists off near Peterborough in of the Herrings”, which has a worldwide distribution. In c. 1885, a 7.6-m-long New Jersey, USA, in Longest fish migration Cambridgeshire, UK. Dating (25-ft) example weighing 272 kg (600 lb) was caught by fishermen off 1963 was estimated Many fish species undertake and, to a lesser extent, its back 155 million years, Pemaquid Point in Maine, USA. The specimen pictured here was found dead to be 15.2 m long! long annual migrations skin, contain the poison this particular specimen in the water off Toyon Bay, California, USA, on 13 Oct 2013 by staff of the between their feeding tetrodotoxin. Less than 0.1 g measured 22 m (72 ft) Catalina Island Marine Institute; it measured 5.5 m (18 ft) long. grounds. The longest (0.004 oz) is enough to kill an straight-line distance known adult in as little as 20 minutes. to have been covered by a fish is 9,335 km (5,800 mi) Most ferocious for a bluefin tuna (Thunnus freshwater fish thynnus) that was dart- The piranhas, especially tagged off Baja California, those of the genera Mexico, in 1958, and caught Serrasalmus and 483 km (300 mi) south of Pygocentrus, found in Tokyo, Japan, in April 1963. Heaviest bony fish the large rivers of South The longest journey by America, are renowned for a freshwater fish is some The ocean sunfish (Mola mola) has been recorded weighing 2 tonnes their ferocity. Attracted to 4,800–6,400 km (3,000– (4,400 lb) and measuring 3 m (10 ft) from fin tip to fin tip. Mola mola – blood and frantic splashing, 4,000 mi), taking about six named from the Latin for “millstone” in reference to its shape – is found a school of piranhas can months, by the European in all oceans in tropical or temperate climates and feeds on zooplankton, within minutes strip an eel (Anguilla anguilla). This animal of its flesh as large Longing for the small fishes and algae. Sharks and rays for example are cartilaginous, not species spends between as a horse, leaving only sea? Turn to p.38 bony as in the case of the ocean sunfish (see “For the record”, p.56). seven and 15 years in fresh its skeleton.

What a whopper! Comparing fish scales Great white shark: length 4.5 m, weight c. 2.25 tonnes Shark attack: great white shark Freshwater Glossary giant The largest predatory fish is the great white Actual Chondrichthyes: According to our 1955 Size shark (Carcharodon carcharias, from the Greek (cartilaginous fish) have edition, the largest skeletons made of cartilage for “sharp-toothed”). Adults average 4.3–4.6 m freshwater fish was the Oarfish: length 7.6 m, Photocorynus – a flexible but firm tissue in length – as long as a typical family saloon 6.7-m-long giant Russian Thresher shark: head- weight c. 270 kg spiniceps: sturgeon (Acipenser), found to-tip-of-fin length 9 m, less stiff than bone. car – and generally weigh 520–770 kg. There length 6.2 mm in the Volga River. “However, weight 230 kg Osteichthyes: (bony fish) is plenty of circumstantial evidence to suggest have skeletons made from we now know that this is not bone. There are c. 28,000 that some great whites grow to more than 6 m in an exclusively freshwater species of Osteichthyes, length, and there are have even been claims of species,” says our animal consultant Dr Karl Shuker. Whale shark: length 12.65 m, weight c. 15 tonnes accounting for 96% of huge specimens up to 10 m long. Pictured here all fish species. They also “At 3 m, the largest fish that Ocean sunfish: form the largest class is a lucky seal escaping the jaws of a great white, spends its whole life in fresh length 3 m, of vertebrates (animals snapped in July 2013 off the coast of Seal Island, water is Asia’s Mekong giant weight 2 tonnes with backbones). South Africa, by photographer David Jenkins. catfish.” (See p.56)

056 Living planet www.guinnessworldrecords.com 057 Crowd funding FACT A “selfie” is a picture 3 million people pledged $480 million to Kickstarter projects in 2013 you take yourself of yourself. It was Oxford Dictionaries’ 2013 First project word of the year. impressively daredevil pieces to reach $1 m over the years. Forces was Have you ever been packed with such stunts frustrated with the and appealed to Kickstarter options available to backers enough for them to you in iPhone docks? pledge $45,512 (£29,000) If so, you have 12,521 Most money pledged towards its successful like-minded Kickstarter for photography production in 2013. backers who were annoyed enough to help an aluminium Selfies in space! The ARKYD is a space Fiction Most Kickstarter money dock, made by Casey telescope that will also have an external screen Andrew Peterson (USA) pledged for any project Hopkins and ElevationLab, overlooking Earth which can be photographed. published the final part of reach $1.46 m (£940,000) in Most money Users will be able to upload their own images his fantasy series for young On 18 May 2012, the Pebble watch closed with pledges in early 2012. and capture themselves floating in space. More adults, the Wingfeather $10,266,845 (£6.4 m) pledged from 68,929 pledged for comics than $1.5 m (£975,000) was pledged to the Saga, with help from Most money pledged people. The watch was released in 2012 and First successfully Kickstarter groups its projects by category. In Planetary Resources project by 1 Jul 2013. Kickstarter. Aiming for for theatre (stage) works with smartphones to allow users to funded project the comics section, $1,254,120 (£806,000) was just $14,000 (£8,500), Kickstarter went live on he overshot his goal by The story of serial killer Patrick Bates may seem customize their watch faces and use fitness apps. pledged by 21 Feb 2012 to reprint The Order 28 Apr 2009 and five days make them stars of their also promote collaboration 844%, receiving $118,188 an unlikely source for a musical, but American later Drawing for Dollars by of the Stick adventure. The Rich Burlew (USA) own series on YouTube with the scientific world. (£74,000) in pledges for The Psycho opened in London in December Fastest Kickstarter First Oscar won by a user “darkpony” had been comic was first published in 2003. channel Cartoon Hangover. The $661,452 (£430,000) Warden and the Wolf King. 2013 with Matt Smith starring in a startling project to reach $1 m Kickstarter-funded movie pledged $35 of a $20 goal By 14 Nov 2013 the quirky pledged by backers by The project closed to new regeneration from his Doctor Who. Producer The Veronica Mars movie Inocente (USA, 2012) with three backers. Among couple had $872,133 25 Aug 2013 will go towards pledges in October 2013. Jesse Singer at Act 4 Entertainment (USA) raised not only holds the record for follows the titular girl as she them was Perry Chen, (£530,000) in pledges. the $20 m (£13 m) needed pledges of $154,929 (£97,000) in May 2013. the most money pledged overcomes bleak personal Kickstarter co-founder. The for the project as a whole. Publishing (overall) in film – $5.7 m (£3.7 m) circumstances to become site has had over 5.4 million Art (overall) Planet Money made T-shirts – but also reached its first an artist. The movie won backers since this first Veteran performance artist Dance – which may not seem Most money in May 2013 and the final $1 m in just the Academy Award for commissioned artwork. Marina Abramovic´ (SRB) is Choreographer Elizabeth to have much to do with pledged for programme was broadcast 4 hr 30 min. Best Documentary founding an institute bearing Streb (USA), and the dance publishing. But the team of games in December the same year. Short in 2013. Most money Most money her name. It is dedicated company that takes her journalists from the USA’s pledged for… pledged for not only to the art that made last name, have presented National Public Radio (NPR) Ouya was a new, Theatre (overall) her reputation, but also to broadcast the story of the open-source console Half the Top 10 theatrical Animation food theatre, dance, film and other T-shirt’s production – from that was set at projects were dedicated to $950,000 (£606,000) Bee and Puppycat was a Sous vide is a method forms of the arts – as long as FACT growing the cotton to the digitizing local cinemas as but closed on 9 Aug YouTube hit cartoon about of cooking your meat or each piece is over six hours The hoodie was cargo ships that bring the analogue film is withdrawn. unemployed Bee and her in length. The institute will goods to market. Having 2012 with more than The most money was for fish precisely. The food popularized by Sylvester friend Puppycat. Creator Stallone’s Rocky, who set a goal of just $50,000 $8.5 m (£5.8 m) the Catlow in Barrington, Natasha Allegri (USA) started is sealed in a plastic wore it in the classic (£32,000), Planet Money pledged. Its 2013 Illinois, USA, with $175,395 the Kickstarter project to bag that is heated 1976 boxing movie were backed to the tune release didn’t live up (£114,000) in training scenes. in water to a lower of $590,807 (£384,000) to the promise, with 2013. temperature and for a mixed reviews and Most money longer time than most slow sales. pledged for music methods. As used in Most money pledged Former The Dresden Dolls co-founder the best restaurants, it’s for fashion Amanda Palmer (USA) turned to a trend in cooking that Flint and Tinder, a fashion label Kickstarter for £100,000 (£65,000) 4,084 backers supported founded by Jake Bronstein (USA), to produce Theatre is Evil. By 1 Jun – and Scott Heimendinger created a hooded sweatshirt 2012 she had been pledged $1,192,793 (USA) saw his Sansaire designed to last. The 10-Year (£776,000) by 24,883 fans. Some horn cooker hit $823,003 Hoodie (pictured here on a model) went and string musicians for the album’s (£529,000) by 6 Sep 2013. on Kickstarter with a goal of $50,000 (£32,000) tour were crowd-sourced from It is set for retail in 2014. but by April 2013 had raised $1 m (£650,000). Amanda’s fanbase.

Most funded Kickstarter project categories Most money Latest model: 3D printing What is Category Total funds raised No. of projects funded... and unfunded (completed projects) pledged for… Kickstarter? A 3D printer can produce a solid object from Music $90.46 m 14,502 11, 758 Kickstarter was founded Illustration: Ukiyo-e Heroes, a design on a computer. The printer builds $313,341, a parody and by Perry Chen, Yancey Film & Video $157.15 m 12,556 18,964 up layered slices to create objects – such as Strickler and Charles Adler celebration of Japanese (all USA) and launched on Art $28.82 m 5,405 5,768 medical parts and, controversially guns – but woodblock art, 31 Aug 2013. 28 Apr 2009. The concept although it’s cheaper than starting a factory, Publishing $ 37.96 m 4,893 10,183 allows investors to pledge FACT Painting: ENTHEON: The Alex the process has been expensive until recent money towards a project Theatre $18.87 m 3,459 1,913 Kickstarter has Grey Visionary Art Experience, years. In 2013, Form 1 (right), a printer made by in return for rewards and experiences, but the funds Games $180.04 m 2,740 5,082 successfully helped $210,127, a permanent Formlabs in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, are only handed over if the 54,803 projects exhibition space, 1 Jun 2013. attracted 2,945% of its funding goal when it Design $116.12 m 2,344 3,740 secure funding, entire funding goal is met. racked up the most money pledged for a Throughout 2013, $1.3 m Food $28.73 m 1,977 2,920 raising a whopping $939 m! Sculpture: Crania Anatomica Kickstarter technology project, with almost was pledged every single day, with three million Comics $ 22.15 m 1,672 1,737 Filigre, $77,271, a 3D printed $3 m (over £1.8 m) raised by Oct 2013. skull, 24 Oct 2011. people backing projects. Source: Kickstarter, 6 Jan 2014

140 Modern World www.guinnessworldrecords.com 141 Senses & perception The eyes can process around 36,000 pieces of information every hour Mapping the senses This oddly shaped figure is a SIGHT move more than 100,000 “sensory homunculus”. This times a day. Many of these is what you’d look like if your Farthest object visible rapid eye movements take body parts were in proportion to the naked eye ever place during the dreaming to the area of the brain Gamma-ray bursts are the phase of sleep. concerned with its sensory birth cries of black holes. perception. Based on a At 2:12 EDT on 19 Mar Most sensitive Lips have many sense model at the UK’s Natural receptors – which is why 2008, NASA’s Swift satellite colour vision babies put objects into detected a gamma-ray The average human eye History Museum, it shows their mouths to learn about them. burst from a galaxy some can perceive approximately which areas of our bodies 7.5 billion light years away. a million colours. Our powers are the most sensitive. Some 30–40 seconds later, of colour vision derive from When it comes to detecting the optical counterpart of three types of cone cells in our world, the tongue is highly sensitive, with a very the burst was seen on Earth the eye, each responsive TOUCH dense concentration of and captured by a robotic to different wavelengths of Most valuable nose neural connections. Noisiest workplace telescope. The explosion, light. Our brains combine On 19 Mar 2008, Lloyd’s reported that Ilja Gort Most touch-sensitive known as GRB 080319B, the signals to produce the Most valuable (NLD) had his nose insured for €5 m (£3.9 m; part of the body The loudest place on Earth that any human works was visible to the naked eye perception of colour. Work tongue $7.8 m). Ilja Gort, the owner of the vineyard Our fingers have the highest for a sustained period is the cockpit of a Formula for around 30 seconds. completed by neuroscientist On 9 Mar 2009, Château la Tulipe de la Garde in Bordeaux, density of touch receptors in One racing car. For a driver sitting directly in front Gabriele Jordan at the Lloyd’s reported France, insured his nose in an attempt to the body. So sensitive are our of the engine, the noise level has been measured Most active muscle University of Newcastle, that the tongue of protect his livelihood. fingers that we can distinguish at 140 dB. All drivers wear tailor-made earplugs. Scientists have estimated UK, proved that some Gennaro Pelliccia (UK) two points of contact that human eye muscles people have four cones, is insured for £10 m just 2 mm (0.07 in) apart. ($14 m). Pelliccia tastes have five and eight chemical Smelliest molecule They can also detect Hearing every single batch of ingredients respectively. The chemicals ethyl a movement of just

coffee beans made Bathroom Malodor smells mercaptan (C2H5SH) and 0.02 microns – that’s Highest detectable pitch for Costa Coffee (UK) primarily of human faeces butyl seleno-mercaptan 200 thousandths The upper limit of human stores and has now and becomes incredibly (C H SeH) have a distinctive of a millimetre (or Our fingers feel the 4 9 world in sensory high hearing is accepted to be learned to distinguish repellant to people at a ratio smell reminiscent of a 31 millionths of definition by containing 20,000 Hz (hertz, or cycles between thousands of of just two parts per million. combination of rotting an inch). the highest density of per second). Although this different flavours. It was originally developed cabbage, garlic, onions, touch receptors in the body. Sense receptors figure decreases with age. By to test the power of burnt toast and sewer gas. are more concentrated in way of comparison, bats emit enabling them to see more deodorizing products. smaller fingers. As a result, women tend to have a more pulses at up to 90,000 Hz. colours – about 99 million Taste developed tactile sensitivity The average accepted more, in fact. Jordan and than men. lowest detectable pitch her team created a test in Sweetest Bitterest substance by the human ear is 20 Hz, which three subtle colour substance The bitterest-tasting The calves are the least although in ideal conditions, circles flashed on a screen. Thaumatin, aka substances are based on the sensitive body parts – the a young person can hear Only one person was able to Talin, from arils denatonium cation and have brain can only distinguish two points of contact frequencies down to 12 Hz. distinguish them every time (appendages found been produced around 45 mm apart, Inaudible infrasound waves – an English female doctor on certain seeds) of commercially compared with 2 mm for the can be felt by the human known as “cDa29” – who the katemfe plant as benzoate fingers. body, as physical vibrations, Quietest place has the most sensitive colour (Thaumatococcus and saccharide. in the range of 4–16 Hz. Tests performed on 18 Oct 2012 vision measured. daniellii) found Taste detection in the Anechoic Test Chamber at in West Africa, levels are as low Smallest bone Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis, Smell is 3,250 as just one part The stapes or stirrup bone Minnesota, USA, gave a background times in 500 million, measures 2.6–3.4 mm Smelliest substance sweeter while a dilution noise reading of just -13 dBA (decibels (0.1–0.13 in) in length and The most foul-smelling than sugar when of just one FACT A-weighted). The term “dBA” denotes The 100,000–200,000 sense weighs 2–4.3 mg. One of the substances on Earth are the compared to a part in The term “Homunculus”, receptors on the sole of each three auditory ossicles in the sound levels audible to the human ear – man-made “Who-Me?” and 7.5% sucrose 100 million coined by alchemists in foot help stabilize the whole body. They are at their most middle ear, the stapes plays i.e., excluding extreme highs and lows. “US Government Standard solution. Actual will leave a the 17th century, means simply “little person”. effective when we walk a vital role in hearing. Bathroom Malodor”, which Size lingering taste. barefoot.

Listen up: The How many senses do we have? Decibel (dB) readings decibel scale Smells enter the Stop Press All readings from 10-m distance Talking scents: our sense of smell nasal vestibule Conventionally, we think The loudness, or intensity, of of ourselves as having Kinesthetics: the brain’s parietal (nostril), where Receptor cells a sound is usually measured dB Sound five senses: sight, cortex enables us to tell where every Smell accounts for around 80% of our sense of small hairs filter • Longest echo: 1 min hearing, taste, touch and part of our body is in relation to its in decibels (dB). Decibels out dust and other 15 sec by Trevor Cox and 150 Jet engine smell. But if to “sense” other parts. (Test this by trying to touch are calculated according to taste. The first sense to develop, it is functional fine particles. At the top of Nasal cavity Allan Kilpatrick (both UK) something simply means Temperature: your nose with your eyes closed!) a logarithmic scale, which before we are born and is generally most sensitive we can tell the nasal cavity inside a disused oil tank at to be aware of it, then increases by a set ratio. 114 Train whistle we have many more than hot from cold in childhood. We can detect some 10,000 odours, are c. 40 million Inchindown in Highland, and adjust Interoception: our internal Total silence would measure olfactory receptor UK, on 3 Jun 2012. just these five “primary” 110 Subway train but prolonged exposure to a smell causes our Nasal vestibule senses. Here are a few accordingly senses alert us when we are 0 dB; a sound 10 times cells, which detect feeling hungry or tired the odourant • Fastest time to others to consider: greater would be 10 dB, but awareness of it to reduce quickly. We are more 107 Pneumatic riveter molecules and conduct electricity a sound 100 times louder sensitive to smells in spring and summer, as the send a message to via the body: 1 min than 0 dB would measure the brain. When you 89 Power saw air is more moist then; exercise also increases the Mouth 22.503 sec, to heat 150 ml only 20 dB, and sounds eat, you “taste” the of water from 25°C to 97°C Pain: a mechanism for the 1,000 times louder than 0 dB moisture in our nostrils, improving our sense of food using these 64 City traffic from inside car same cells, which by Slavisa “Biba” Pajkic body to sense damage Time: we sense would register just 30 dB. smell. Women have a stronger sense of smell than detect food odours (SRB) in Istanbul, Turkey, time passing in the mouth. Listed here are typical 46 Normal piano practice men – it is particularly acute during pregnancy. on 13 Jul 2013. decibel readings, recorded Balance: we are sensitive to from a distance of 10 m body movement, direction and acceleration away from the source. 074 Humans www.guinnessworldrecords.com 075 Largest gathering of people dressed... 1 Category People Organizer/Event Location Date as Mohandas 2,955 Sowdambikaa Tiruchirappalli, India 4 Jul 2013 Mass participation 1 Gandhi Group of Schools The gathering of 9,768 firefighters in Oct 2011 is almost four times the population of the Falkland Islands with false 2,268 City of Fairfield & Fairfield Fairfield, Iowa, USA 26 Jul 2013 moustaches RAGBRAI Committee Grin Club Limited, Grin On a single bed 2 as witches 1,607 La Bruixa d’Or Sort, Lleida, Spain 16 Nov 2012 Kitchen Limited and Ma On Leaving no room to roll over, as Star Trek 1,063 Media 10 Ltd ExCeL, London, UK 20 Oct 2012 Shan Tsung Tsin secondary 3 2 54 people were crammed school (all HKG) in Hong characters on a single bed by Xilinmen Kong, China, on 7 Sep 2013. Furniture in Beijing, China, 4 as Saint Patrick 882 Saint Brigid’s Castleknock, Dublin, 14 Mar 2013 National School Ireland on 7 Sep 2013. Barbecue as fairies 871 St Giles Hospice Lichfield, 22 Jun 2013 Try to guess how much food Staffordshire, UK Singing a national you need for a barbecue for anthem simultaneously 45,252 people. Ingredients as Superman 867 Escapade, Kendal Calling Lowther Deer Park, 27 Jul 2013 Employees from the Sahara Cumbria, UK used by Estado de Nuevo India Pariwar company sang Loudest stadium crowd roar León (MEX) included in one-piece 752 Henry Allen Onesie StadiumMK, 2 Nov 2013 3 India's national anthem with Fans of the Seattle Seahawks, aka “Volume 12 15.5 tonnes (34,000 lb) of pyjamas (onesies) Angels Milton Keynes, UK 121,653 voices. The record – The Seahawks' 12th Man” (USA), achieved a angus beef with 18 tonnes Largest horse race as nurses 619 Tan Tock Seng Hospital Jalan Tan Tock Seng 1 Aug 2013 was set in Lucknow, India, (39,500 lb) of onions and on 6 May 2013. 137.6-dB(A) roar at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, The Federation of Mongolian Horse Racing Field, Singapore 15 tonnes (33,000 lb) of Washington, USA, on 1 Dec 2013, in a match as trees 516 O´srodek Kultury Le´snej Gołuchów, Poland 30 Sep 2013 corn tortillas, topped with Sport and Trainers had 4,249 runners in w Gołuchówie On the same drum against the New Orleans Saints. The term "dB(A)" 16 tonnes (35,000 lb) of Khui Doloon Khudag, Ulan Bator, Mongolia, Queen’s "We Will Rock You" denotes decibel levels audible to the human ear – salsa. It took place in Parque on 10 Aug 2013, over 18 km (11.18 mi). as cows 470 Chick-fil-A George Mason 2 Jul 2013 was an anthemic choice for i.e., excluding extreme highs and lows. Fundidora in Monterrey, The youngest rider was seven and the University, Virginia, 263 people playing a drum USA Mexico, on 18 Aug 2013. oldest was 79. 4 measuring 10 m (32 ft 9 in) in Largest... by Anne-Marie Willems, as monks 463 Ardfert Central National Ardfert, County 11 May 2013 diameter and 1.6 m (5 ft 2 in) René Verlaak and AED4all. Barefoot walk School Kerry, Ireland high. Organized by PLAY AED training session com (all NLD) in Nijmegen, The National Service Scheme Gathering of professional 30 Jan 2013, a group of (POL), the event took place in Disney 361 Walsgrave Church of Coventry, UK 12 Jul 2013 Automated External Netherlands, on 29 May 2013. Cell of Acharya Nagarjuna clown doctors 153 clowns marked the costumes England Primary School at Przystanek Woodstock in Defibrillators (AED) diagnose University (IND) took 7,050 Clown doctors can ease 20th anniversary of the Kostrzyn nad Odra, Poland, and treat heart conditions. Baking lesson people for a shoe-free stroll difficult and frightening clown doctoring work done as Dragon Ball 307 Saló del Manga Barcelona, Spain 1 Nov 2012 on 2 Aug 2013. A training session for Much dough was kneaded in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, procedures in hospital for by the Theodora Foundation, characters comic festival 2,109 participants on by 426 students of Green India, on 12 Dec 2012. sick young people. On headquartered in Bern, Painting buildings at once the machines was held Switzerland. On 18 May 2013, Slovenian Most people... Largest gathering of zombies paint manufacturer Helios A brain-munching 9,592 members of the walking put 1,272 painters to work As film extras across nine venues dead did the New Jersey Zombie Walk in Asbury The death of Mohandas in Slovenia. Gandhi was greeted by Park, New Jersey, USA, on 5 Oct 2013. They national mourning in India. shuffled their way to regaining the record from This was portrayed in the Zombie Pub Crawl of Minneapolis, USA. the 1982 movie Gandhi (UK) with approximately 300,000 extras – some sources putting the figure Most people as high as 400,000. The twerking sequence was shot Largest gathering of people How many people on 31 Jan 1981. dressed as penguins does it take to set a raunchy dancing Blowing bubble gum Children’s hospice Richard House got 325 oversized penguins to record? Hip-hop artist bubbles waddle together in Wood Wharf, London, UK, on Guinness World Big Freedia (USA) On 6 Jun 2013, Lester B Records Day on 13 Nov 2013. achieved the feat with Pearson Public School in 358 others in New Aurora, Ontario, Canada, York City, USA, on organized 544 people 25 Sep 2013. blowing simultaneous gum bubbles.

Largest classes GREATEST gatherings Hindu pilgrimage: Kumbh Mela festival Stop Press Stop Press According to a 2012 comparison study of education in the developed world, the average Between 80 and 100 million people attended the 55-day • Lorem ipsum dolor sit class size is 15.7 students. Here we give you the • Most people Kumbh Mela festival, which began in Allahabad, India, in amet consect etuer adip top three exceptions: shaking cocktails January 2013. A Hindu pilgrimage to bathe in a sacred simultaneouslyelit sed diam ut volutpat.: 1,710, Largest religious crowd: 30 million, India, 2013 river is usually held every three years in one of four cities, Diageo (UK), 18 Sep 2013. Lesson Where Attendees • Lorem dolor sit amet but 2013 was a special version, the Maha Kumbh Mela, consect• Most participants etuer adip elit sed Meteorology Kauffman 16,110 on which occurs every 144 years. The city prepared for the diampopping nonummy party poppersnibh euis: Stadium (USA) 7 May 2009 mod743, Greytincidunt Court ut Schoolvolutpat. onslaught – more than the entire population of the UK – (UK), 17 Jul 2013. with 14 temporary hospitals, 243 doctors on call, around • Lorem ipsum dolor sit Largest funeral: 15 million, India, 1969 History Angel Stadium 14,257 on amet• Longest consect high-five etuer adip (USA) 8 Nov 2011 30,000 police and security staff on duty and 40,000 elitchain sed: 695diam people, ut volutpat. toilets. The cost was approximately 11.5 bn rupees St Francis of Assisi Largest papal crowd: Primary School and 4 million, Philippines, 1995 (£129 m), but it was hoped that the festival would earn Nutrition SAP Arena 9,079 on Calwell High School (both (DEU) 12 May 2009 as much as 120 bn rupees (£1.3 bn). AUS), 27 Sep 2013. Largest gathering of Largest anti-war rally: Sikhs: 3.5 million, India, 1999 3 million, Italy, 2003 www.guinnessworldrecords.com 117 FACT Fun with food Sabering a bottle of champagne was popular Americans eat 75 litres of popcorn a year – enough to fill a bath tub! during the Napoleonic Wars. The bottle is held at about 20° and the Fastest field-to- of Abenteuer Leben (Kabel sabre used to crack the Cream-filled sponge Ice-cream oven-cooked loaf eins) in Sankt Peter-Ording, collar; the pressure in cakes eaten in scoops Australian farmer Neil Unger Germany, on 13 Jul 2013. the bottle then sends one minute balanced had long wanted to take the top flying off. Competitive eater Patrick on one cone the “paddock to plate” Fastest time to eat a jam Bertoletti (USA) tucked away Dimitri Panciera challenge. The record had doughnut with no hands Champagne bottles 16 creamy sponge delights (ITA) balanced stood unbroken since Oli White (UK) used no sabered in one minute in Los Angeles, USA, on 85 scoops at a festival 1999, but with a team hands and didn’t lick his lips “Sabrage” is technique 26 Jun 2013. of ice-cream in Zoppè di of assistants he took as he hoovered up a jam used to open champagne by Cadore, Italy, on 21 Jul 2013. wheat from a field to doughnut in 28.75 sec at holding the bottle at an angle Eggs held unbroken produce 13 loaves of Alexandra Palace in London, and sliding a sabre (sword) Most pancakes on a roller coaster Most nuts crushed bread (a “baker’s dozen”) in UK, on 17 Aug 2013. It was up the neck deftly enough to Fözgür Tuna held 110 eggs by sitting down in Fastest time to made in one hour 16 min 30.83 sec. The feat the third time in the space slice off the collar and cork. in a basket while Udo 30 seconds Ross McCurdy (USA) took place in Cawdor, New of a year that the GWR On 22 Nov 2012, Matthias Baron (both DEU) gave him Cherry Yoshitake (JPN) eat three éclairs singlehandedly made South Wales, Australia, on YouTube presenter managed Most bites in a minute Eisenhardt (DEU) sabered advance warning of the crushed 48 walnuts using his Furious Pete demolished three chocolate 1,092 pancakes in 11 Jan 2013. to break the record. while juggling apples open 42 bottles in a minute roller coaster turns. The pair buttocks at the Wakamiya éclairs in 18.02 sec at MEATMarket in Covent Kingston, Washington, in Berlin, Germany. were at Europa-Park in Rust, Hachimangu shrine in Garden, London, UK, on 10 Jul 2013. That day USA, on 13 Aug 2013. Fastest time to eat Entertainer and juggler Michael Goudeau The most champagne Germany, on 21 Jun 2013. Kawasaki, Kanagawa, he also set a gastronomic record for the most The most pancakes a bowl of pasta (USA) took 151 bites from three apples while bottles sabered at once Japan, on 15 January 2013. made in eight hours Furious Pete, aka Peter juggling for one minute on the set of Guinness is 277, by Centro Empresarial Hamburgers eaten hamburgers eaten in one minute, with by a team is 76,382 by Czerwinski (CAN, pictured World Records Unleashed in Los Angeles, e Cultural de Garibaldi in in three minutes four. Fans follow his YouTube channel antics Batter Blaster (USA) on on p.99), ate a bowl of California, USA, on 20 Jun 2013. Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Takeru Kobayashi (JPN) with his videos having notched up more than 9 May 2009. pasta in 41 sec on the set on 5 Oct 2013. ate 11 hamburgers in 105 million views by 1 Dec 2013. Using the conventional Istanbul, Turkey, on Most… method of opening, UK TV 5 Jun 2013. chef Gino D’Acampo Mustard drunk Most Bhut Jolokia chilli Bananas sliced with a (ITA) recorded the in 30 seconds peppers eaten in two minutes sword on a slackline in most champagne Denis Klefenz (DEU) one minute corks popped consumed 294 g (10.37 oz) The Bhut Jolokia, or ghost chilli, rates at A slackline is similar in look in one minute, from a tube of Kühne approximately 1,000,000 on the Scoville scale to a tightrope, but is slung with seven on Senf Mittelscharf German (see below). On 19 Jun 2013, Jason much closer to the ground. 29 Jul 2013. mustard on 20 Jun 2013. McNabb (USA) ate 66 g (2.33 oz) Veteran record-breaker of these chillis – more than Ashrita Furman (USA) Walnuts crushed 13 whole peppers balanced on a slackline Fastest time to drink by hand in one minute – in Los Angeles, as he was thrown Not content with crushing 36 bananas, each one litre of lemon juice 131 walnuts in his hand California, USA. of which he cut Michael Jenkins (USA) won a three-way head-to- in 60 sec, Ashrita Furman in two in New head challenge by drinking a litre of lemon juice went on to set another York, USA, through a straw in a record time of 54.1 sec in Los nutty record, for the most on 3 Aug Angeles, California, USA, on 20 Jun 2013, beating walnuts cracked against 2013. the head in one minute: the next fastest time 44. Both records were by 10 sec. set in New York, USA, on 8 Jan 2013. FACT Ghost peppers can burn bare skin, so always wear latex gloves if handling.

Fast food: from swift swallowers to nimble nibblers Spice up your life: the Scoville scale Egg-streme Trenchermen: Stop Press efforts Eating to excess 57.64 sec, eat three Bhut Jolokia chillis, Birgit Tack (DEU) We have American chemist Wilbur Scoville Chilli Rating in Scoville units Fastest time to crush A “trencher” was a medieval bowl carved out 54 sec, eat three mince pies, Jim Rabaya (CAN) • Most cappucinos to thank for the scale that rates the chillies Peperocini 100–500 of a loaf of stale bread and, as the first edition made in one hour: 289 10 eggs (elbows pointing 50.08 sec, wrap five portions of chips, Stephanie Celik (UK) we chomp. In 1912, long before high- forwards): 12.64 sec, of The Guinness Book of Records explained by Suzanne Stagg (AUS) Jalapeño 2,500–5,000 pressure liquid chromatography tests Mauro Vagnini (ITA), in in 1955, “trencherman” was the name given in Hobart, Tasmania, to a glutton who enjoys food to excess, often 41 sec, eat a bowl of pasta, Peter Czerwinski (CAN) Australia, on 29 Nov 2013. in labs, he relied on taste alone. A grain Cayenne and 30,000–50,000 Milan, Italy, 28 Apr 2011. 50– setting records in the process. However, we • Largest cream tea of chilli was dissolved in an alcoholic Tabasco Most standing jumps went on to say that trenchermen records on to raw eggs without 40– party: 510 people in did not match “those suffering from the rare 36.01 sec, eat three pickled eggs, Kyle Thomas Moyer (USA) solution added to sweetened water until Scotch bonnet 80,000–300,000 breaking them: nine, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK, disease of bulimia (morbid desire to eat) and on 24 Nov 2013. it could barely be noted by a panel of Lan Guangping (CHN), in seconds30– Bhut Jolokia 800,000–1.04 million polydipsia (pathological thirst). Some bulimia testers. The more dilution required, the Beijing, China, 9 Sep 2013. patients have to spend 15 hours a day eating, • Most people dunking higher the rating. See right for some Naga viper 1.38 million Most eggs held in one with an extreme consumption of 174 kg of food 20– 18.02 sec, eat three chocolate éclairs, Peter Czerwinski (CAN) cookies: 1,796 by Oreo hand: 27, Silvio Sabba in six days by Matthew Daking, aged 12, in India at I.I.T. Mumbai, ratings from the scale still used – although Carolina reaper 1.56 million (ITA), in Milan, Italy, 1743... Some polydipsomaniacs are unsatisfied 10– 9.83 sec, eat a slice of toast, Anthony Falzon (MLT) Indian, on 22 Dec 2013. technology has replaced tasters. (pictured left) (the hottest chilli) 19 May 2013. by less than 54.5 litres of liquid a day.” 0–

098 Recordmania www.guinnessworldrecords.com 099 Technology & engineering Contents Patents are mentioned in Article 1 of the US Constitution Tech flashback: 60 years of communication 180 Roller-coasters 182 Largest motorized shopping trolley Bridges & tunnels 184 Cars 186 Powered by a 7,439-cc engine, this mammoth cart measures 8.23 m (27 ft) long, 4.57 m (15 ft) tall and 2.43 m (8 ft) wide and incorporates 3,265 kg Urban transport 188 (7,200 lb) of stainless steel. Built by Frederick Reifsteck (USA), it was Transport oddities 190 displayed at South Wales, New York, USA, on 20 Apr 2012. Wacky wheels 192 It’s not the largest shopping trolley overall, though. That honour goes Military hardware 194 to a 9.6-m-long (31-ft 5-in), 13.6-m-tall (44-ft 7-in), 8.23-m-wide (27-ft) behemoth created by Migros Ticaret A.S. (TUR) in Istanbul, Turkey, Architecture 196 and unveiled on 14 Jun 2012. Castles 198 Sports architecture 200 Cutting-edge science 202 Robots & AI 204 Gadgets & 3D printing 206

FACT Frederick’s titanic trolley has a capacity of 27,332,836 cm3, making it 227 times bigger than a typical 120,000-cm³ shopping cart.

178 Diamond Anniversary Special Edition www.guinnessworldrecords.com 179 PR & Marketing 60 Record-breaking years – It’s Officially Amazing!

Retailer events Parenting Blog outreach GUINNESS “The latest edition of and competitions To support the promotion campaign of the GUINNESS WORLD WORLD GWR book and engage with our main readers, RECORDS contains a Guinness World Records offers every retailer dazzling assortment of all- RECORDS we collaborate with the chance to invite a record holder for a book new feats and spectacles.” book launch parenting bloggers. Over 2.8 million people engage with signing, attempt a record with their staff and Guinness World Records on - MSN customers, or organize a competition. Twitter and Facebook! First launched in 1955 by Sir Hugh Beaver, To celebrate the In 2013, we “A top kids’ gift for Managing Director of the Guinness Brewery, launch of the Guinness partnered with a Christmas” Guinness World Records is proud to be World Records 2014 major retailer to offer - First News celebrating its diamond anniversary! book, Jyoti Amge – GUINNESS WORLD Since its inception, the best-selling the world’s shortest “ I think the GWR 2014 RECORDS goody copyrighted book of all time has been sold woman – visited New book is a really super bags to some lucky in over 100 countries, translated into 25 York City. In the UK, gift for a child. [...] There customers. We can languages and continues to top the best-selling Chris “The Dutchess” is so much in this book, also offer visits to the GWR HQs and chances charts every year. Walton, who holds both fabulous quality and to attend a record attempt. If this is of interest, interesting photos and GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2015 – the title for the world’s please contact your local Guinness World facts to blow your mind. ” Special Diamond Edition will hit the shelves longest fingernails, visited Guinness Records office. - Mummyfromthe globally in September 2014. High-profile heart.com marketing and PR campaigns will include World Records’ HQ in London. a major launch PR event, features on top PRESENCE ON Digital Tweets have reached 70 million people as “I would definitely broadcast partners, print and online outreach, & social media part of the Guinness World Records recommend this as a gift 2014 campaign global digital ad campaigns as well 60th CHANNELS for a child or adult who loves facts and figures. anniversary celebrations throughout key-selling We push the word out on period. targeted website to engage I am sure this book Our annual Bloggers events will bring families with our fans. We can help will provides hours of you design assets to host entertainment.” together during the school holidays, and more on your website: quiz, online - Mumsnet user than 400,000 enthusiasts will take part in record competition, web banners, and more. attempts for Guinness World Records day, “There hasn’t been a breaking records globally all on the same day! We reach about 2.3M kid I know who doesn’t users every day. gravitate towards those books, awaiting to be 2M fans thrilled by what they are PR campaigns about to see.” - Babble.com The US and UK PR campaigns for the books reached a vast 82k followers array of audiences during its key-selling-period In 2013, people spent “The way they present 127.8 million minutes watching • Over $50M worth of global media coverage. Guinness World Records videos, the information is fun and • National and regional print coverage in the UK and US 584k subscribers on Youtube… that’s 243 years keeps the eye moving over reached more than 218 million people. and 9 days! the pages” • There were 1.1 billion opportunities for people to see and - Mom Start hear about the book. 1.1M people visit • Featured on over 100 major outlets and TV partnerships in guinnessworldrecords.com “This book has something the UK. every month. for everyone!” • US launch event was showcased to 63 million viewers and generated over 75 million media impressions. - Denver Post

For more information on Marketing and PR campaigns, please Every year, Guinness World Records packages a contact the Guinness World Records offices in London, New set of online assets to help promote the GWR book on York or go to: guinnessworldrecords.com digital platforms: “Meet the record holders” videos, web banners, and exclusive record holder photos.

Global media always on the look out for incredible record-breaking stories Networks/OUTLETS that featured the 2014 edition:

Marketing & PR www.guinnessworldrecords.com 60th Diamond edition

The latest edition of the Guinness World What’s new in 2015? Records book celebrates our landmark • Crowd sourcing: anniversary, as well as showcasing the very the movies, video best of the most recent world records games and gadgets that have emerged from social media • Thousands of new and updated records – sites and the power of group action every major new achievement listed • 3D printing: the manufacturing • Hundreds of amazing new photographs, process that looks many never seen before now set to revolutionise how products are • Highlights from our archive of classic made and sold records • Alien hunting: the Search for • Exciting new design to help reluctant readers, with a look Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence and feel inspired by tablet technology • Fakes & frauds: record-breaking • Dozens of new topics and spreads, plus details of how art theft, forgeries, readers can become record-breakers themselves crimes and fakery • eBooks: how the PLUS, SPECIAL FEATURES: digital revolution is affecting publishing • FLASHBACK: Tracking how records have changed over • Urban transport: six decades monorails, ski lifts, driverless cars and • GALLERY: Picture features showcasing the best record- funiculars – the more unusual side to breaking images from our archive public transportation • SEE IT 3D: Bringing the records to life with a free app • Castles: inspired by Game of Thrones, our architecture FREE APP: SEE IT 3D consultant explores Available for free to app, readers are castles, fortresses every reader, the latest encouraged to enjoy the and strongholds edition of our See It reading experience of 3D Augmented Reality the book in conjunction • Robots & AI: app brings the book to with the app, unlocking artificial intelligence life with more exciting, interactive 3D elements and the rise of the interactive digital and bonus material such robot content. Designed to be as galleries and record- used as a companion holder Q&As.

UK ORDERS US ORDERS PUBLISHER’S DETAILS SPECIFICATION

Macmillan Distribution Ltd, Macmillan USA UK office Extent: 256pp Houndsmills, Brunel Road, MPS Distribution Center Guinness World Records Pub Date: Sept 2014 Basingstoke, 16365 James Madison Highway Third Floor, Format: 226 x 303 x 18.5 mm 7 15 3 Hampshire RG21 6XS Gordonsville, VA 22942-8501 184–192 Drummond Street, 8 /8” x 11 /16” x /4” Tel: +44 (0)1256 329 242 Tel: +1 (888) 330-8477 London, NW1 3HP Binding: Hardback Fax: +1 (800) 672-2054 Tel: +44 (0)207 891 4500 ISBN Price: UK £20 Online US office US $28.95 Can $34.95 UK: 9781908843623 E-mail: [email protected] Guinness World Records US: 9781908843630 PUBNET: 631-5011 45 West 45th Street, US: 1908843624 EDI: ID# T246 Suite 902 New York, NY 10036 Canada: 9781897553374 Advantis Tel: +1 718 513 7261

Introduction Guinness World Records 2015

Guinness World Records

A snapshot of our universe as seen through the lens of the superlative ­this new edition explores the evolution of record­breaking and amazes with all the latest achievements.

Guinness World Records 2015 celebrates our landmark 60th anniversary, as well as showcases the very best of the most recent world records.

l Thousands of new and updated records – every major new achievement listed l Hundreds of amazing new photographs, many never seen before l Highlights from our archive of classic records l Exciting new design to help reluctant readers, with a look and feel inspired by tablet technology l Dozens of new topics and spreads, plus details of how readers can become record­breakers themselves l New Topics include crowd sourcing, alien hunting, fakes & frauds, castles (inspired by Game of Thrones) and robots & AI (artificial intelligence)

FREE APP: SEE IT 3D

Available for free to every reader, the latest edition of our See It 3D Augmented Reality app brings the book to life with more exciting, interactive digital content. Designed to be used as a companion app, readers are encouraged to enjoy the reading experience of the book in conjunction with the app, unlocking videos, interactive 3D elements and bonus material such as galleries and record­holder Q&As.

Guinness World Records (GWR) is the global authority on record­breaking achievements. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records® book has become one of the biggest­selling copyright titles of all time, selling 120 million copies to date in 22 languages and in more than 100 countries. The internationally renowned brand is now also available across a number of platforms ­ GWR's digital media and online record­processing services attract more than 50 million visitors a year; and the live events team annually entertains and inspires 1.5 million people around the world. GWR receives more than 1,000 applications each week and has a specialized team of multi­language record managers and adjudicators who travel the globe to verify official record attempts.

19 MARKETING REFERENCE / YEARBOOKS & ANNUALS l Marquee press event with iconic record holder in NYC at Guinness World Records | 9/9/2014 launch 9781908843630 | $28.95 Hardback | 256 pages | Carton Qty: 10 l National morning and daytime broadcast partnerships 8.750 in W | 11.000 in H | 1.000 lb Wt during launch week l Full sell­in to print, online and broadcast media with unique suite of never­before­seen content l Regional outreach to the top 30 US markets with a video news release and radio tour l Outreach to key US parent and mom blogs for book recommendations l Placements in both regional and national holiday gift guides l Digital banner ad campaign targeting key demographic

PRAISE "There hasn’t been a kid I know who doesn’t gravitate towards those books, waiting to be thrilled by what they are about to see." ­ Babble.com

"The way they present the information is fun and keeps the eye moving over the pages" ­ MomStart

20 Guinness World Records 2015 Gamer's Edition

Guinness World Records

Now in its eighth edition, Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition is the definitive guide to videogames.

With all­new design and photography, the fresh­looking 2015 edition is packed full of news and views about the most up­to­ date achievements and developments in gaming. It offers the most dazzling images from this year’s top titles, along with fascinating facts, figures and features on the games and characters you love – from Minecraft to the world­beating Grand Theft Auto V, from thrilling new games to all­time classics. The latest edition includes gameplay tips and hints, interviews and features exploring gaming from different perspectives, and quotes from leading figures in the industry. Find out about the biggest­selling games, the highest scores, and the world's most amazing gamers. Read about the latest hardware developments in the battle of the eight­generation consoles, and explore the most exciting news stories across all the major gaming genres.

Guinness World Records (GWR) is the global authority on record­breaking achievements. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records® book has become one of the biggest­selling copyright titles of all time, selling 120 million copies to date in 22 languages and in more than 100 countries. The internationally renowned brand is now also available across a number of platforms ­ GWR's digital media and online record­processing services attract more than 50 million visitors a year; and the live events team annually entertains and inspires 1.5 million people around the world. GWR receives more than 1,000 applications each week and has a specialized team of multi­language record managers and adjudicators who travel the globe to verify official record attempts.

21 MARKETING GAMES / VIDEO & ELECTRONIC / GENERAL l Full sell­in to print, online and broadcast media with unique Guinness World Records | 11/11/2014 suite of never­before­seen content 9781908843661 | $14.99 / $16.99 Can. Paperback / softback | 216 pages | Carton Qty: 26 l Regional outreach to the top 10 US markets 7.500 in W | 10.438 in H | 1.000 lb Wt l Outreach to gaming enthusiast press, technology beat reporters, and kids blogs l Placements in both regional and national gift guides

PRAISE "If you’re a gamer, Guinness World Records has a book for you" ­ USA Today

"Compelling trivia you’ll find yourself compulsively reading out to disbelieving fellow gamers" ­ News­Journal

22 Index

Guinness World Records 2015 Gamer's Edition; Guinness World Records...... 21 Guinness World Records 2015; Guinness World Records ...... 19 Guinness World Records; Guinness World Records 2015 ...... 19 Guinness World Records; Guinness World Records 2015 Gamer's Edition...... 21