The first edition of The Guinness Book of Records was published in Great Britain on August 27, 1955. Just four years before its publishing, Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of the Guinness Brewery, conceived the idea for the record book while on a hunting trip in Ireland. Beaver and his hunting companions entered a debate about the plover. They wondered if it was Europe’s fastest game bird after a failed attempt to shoot one. Unfortunately, they were not able to easily find the answer. That inspired him to put together a “book” of facts and tidbits that patrons at Britain’s pubs might enjoy using to settle any friendly –or not so friendly as the case might be—wagers. After hiring the McWhirter brothers, London facts and statistics gurus, the first book was given away to help promote the Guinness brand. With increased popularity, the company improved on the “freebie” and began selling it in the fall of 1956. It soon made its way to America and numerous other countries soon after. Now known as Guinness World Records, there are more than 40,000 current records in their database, one of them being that the plover is, in fact, Europe’s fastest game bird. But with 20 record categories ranging from arts & crafts, marathons, money, and even mass participation, there are some very interesting and unique records that go far beyond the world’s fastest person or tallest building. This is a list of 10 unusual Guinness World Records you probably did not know existed. (I know that I wasn’t aware of them)
10 The Canhead
World Record: Most drink cans placed on head using air suction Jamie Keeton of Kenosha, Wisconsin, has not only set this Guinness World Record on two separate occasions, but he also has a really unique party trick. On June 1, 2022, Jamie broke the record for most drink cans placed on his head using air suction when he succeeded at getting 10 beverage cans to stick all over his head. To earn the record title, the cans were required to remain in position for a minimum of five seconds. This was not his first time using his interesting skillset to break this record, though, as he previously had set it in 2016 when he succeeded in suctioning eight cans to his head. Another challenger gave it a shot in 2019 using nine cans and actually beat Jamie’s 2016 record. So this year, Jamie came back to reclaim his title, trying for ten and, once again, broke the Guinness World Record. Jamie, who has rightfully earned the nickname “Canhead,” discovered that his extraordinary talent is possible because of a mysterious and very rare medical condition. Human skin usually absorbs a small amount of oxygen to sustain the uppermost layer of skin cells. However, Jamie’s skin is able to take in more than the average human, which causes his oxygen levels to be higher by 23%, somehow allowing his body to act as somewhat of a magnet. He first recognized he had a unique skill around the age of seven but did not realize the extent of his talent until he shaved his head and attended a baseball game. Jamie was trying to cool down with a cold can of soda pressed against his head when one of the teams hit a home run. He tried to catch the ball, only to notice that his drink was no longer in his hand but rather was stuck to the back of his head. Jamie now uses his rare magnetizing talent to entertain others and has even made a business out of it. He is able to stick heavier items to himself—like a full can of peanuts—and even pour drinks from bottles that are stuck to his head. He refers to himself as a “real-life mutant.”[1]
9 It’s All About the Wheelz
World Record: Longest wheelchair ramp jump Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham was born with spina bifida, which affects the development of the spinal cord and the spine, often resulting in loss of mobility, which is what happened in Aaron’s case. However, using a wheelchair didn’t stop him from taking his love for extreme sports and creating his own form of wheelchair motocross, resulting in him setting the world record for the longest wheelchair ramp jump. After being adopted into a family with six children, Aaron grew up watching his older brother, Brian, doing tricks on his BMX bike at the local skatepark. After mustering up the courage to try it in his wheelchair and asking for a bit of help from Brian and his father, he did his first drop from a 4-foot (1.2-meter) quarter pipe, and even after falling on his first attempt, he continued trying until he got it. Since then, Aaron has gone on to develop his own version of skateboarding and BMX stunt-riding for wheelchairs called WCMX or wheelchair motocross. He has mastered WCMX, which now incorporates complex tricks like carving, grinding, hand-planting, and power-sliding. In 2008, Aaron set his first world record for landing the first wheelchair backflip. A few years later, in 2011, he went on to set the record for the first wheelchair front flip. He has broken several more records in between and since. On July 20, 2018, Aaron had his biggest day of record-breaking yet at the Woodward West Summer Camp in Tehachapi, California, where he set three world records at the skatepark: the tallest quarter-pipe drop-in on a wheelchair and the highest wheelchair hand plant, both at 27 feet 6.7 inches (8.4 meters) and the longest wheelchair ramp jump which was a 70-foot (21.35-meter) jump.[2]
8 A World of Primates
World Record: Longest-running wild primate study English primatologist and anthropologist, Dr. Jane Goodall, has become a legend in her own right as her dedication to researching and understanding the lives of wild chimpanzees over the course of 60 years has officially earned her a spot in Guinness World Records for the longest-running wild primate study. The Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve Study was initiated by Dr. Goodall when she was26, on July 14, 1960, in what is now Tanzania’s Gombe National Park. When she first arrived in Gombe in the early ’60s, she had no formal higher education, lived in a tent, and had very few resources to do her research. Currently, researchers have many more amenities such as housing and the use of advanced tools and technology, including tablets and GIS mapping. Throughout Dr. Goodall’s study, over 165,000 hours of data have been collected while observing over 320 named chimpanzees in the park. This data has resulted in over 430 academic papers, theses, and 39 graduate students in doctoral or masters-level university studies. Also, two of the twin chimpanzees that live in the park—Golden and Glitter—have set a Guinness World Record themselves after being named the oldest chimpanzee twins. Chimpanzee twins are very rare in the wild, and Dr. Goodall and her team have been able to monitor their lives and follow their growth through the years. One of them even had her own set of twins![3]
7 Tunnel of Doggie Love
World Record: Longest human tunnel traveled through by a skateboarding dog While celebrating Guinness World Record Day in 2015 (which really does exist and is on November 17), an English Bulldog named Otto set the world record for the longest human tunnel traveled through by a skateboarding dog. This took place in three-year-old Otto’s hometown of Lima, Peru, where Otto propelled himself through the legs of 30 people. Impressive, to say the least! Guinness World Records required each person creating the tunnel to stand facing the same direction with their feet apart, allowing the skateboarding pup to skate freely through without being touched or pushed onward. A large crowd of people gathered to watch Otto, and videos of his triumphant quest have been viewed by millions, making him an instant star. Otto’s owners, Luciana Viale and Robert Rickards, decided to get the bulldog after seeing videos of the former fastest dog on a skateboard. It didn’t take long before their new puppy was performing all kinds of tricks: playing football, surfing, and skating. One day when Luciana and Otto were playing, she saw him skateboarding toward her so fast that she had to make a tunnel out of her legs for him to zip through so that he didn’t crash into her. That is how the idea was hatched for them to attempt the human tunnel record. The family also has another skateboarding bulldog named Lola, who is Otto’s best friend.[4]
6 Miss Hula Hoop
World Record: Most hula hoops spun simultaneously Marawa Ibrahim, from Australia, has not only set the record for most hula hoops spun simultaneously one time, but this is her 4th time breaking it! In fact, the self-proclaimed hula hoop master holds 12 world records to date. On November 25, 2015, Ibrahim broke her previous record and spun 200 hula hoops simultaneously while in Los Angeles, California. Impressively, three of those hula hoops rely on her using her long middle fingernail for a little extra length when her arms are outstretched to the side. Some other world records she succeeded in include running the fastest mile while hula hooping, fastest 100-meter dash on high-heeled roller skates, and longest duration on high-heeled roller skates while spinning three hula hoops, not to mention several more. Her stage name is Marawa the Amazing, and she really lives up to the amazing part of that title. She earned a bachelor’s degree in circus arts from Australia’s National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), specializing in swinging trapeze. She is also an accomplished artist and author of an empowering book for girls called The Girl Guide. In 2012, Ibrahim formed a team of hoop artists called Marawa’s Majorettes, a fitness team that teaches the art of hula hooping and spreads the passion for performing. Her team of hula hoopers has broken some records themselves. This includes two team records in 2017 when they collectively spun 299 hula hoops in London, setting the record for most hula hoops spun simultaneously by a team, followed by most passes of a hula hoop by the feet in one minute, which was 26.[5]
5 Do You Want BBQ Sauce with That?
World Record: World’s largest chicken nugget Watch this video on YouTube This next record takes super sizing to a whole new level. On May 25, 2022, the record for the world’s largest chicken nugget was set in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by duo Nick DiGiovanni and Lynn Davis. The chicken nugget weighed 46 pounds 3.34 ounces (20.96 kilograms), which is 115 times the size of your average chicken nugget. The pair previously set the world record for the largest cake pop on November 23, 2021. The giant cake pop weighed in at 97 pounds 8.52 ounces (44.24 kilograms), had a circumference of 50.75 inches (128.90 centimeters), and even had a 33-inch (83-centimeter) stick. It was covered in white icing and covered with five cups of sprinkles. For the massive chicken nugget, they used the following: white bread slices, half a gallon of whole milk, 40 pounds (18 kilograms) of ground chicken, 40 eggs, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. The mixture was then poured into a specially-made container and coated with beaten eggs and a mixture of breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs. After mixing the ingredients, the nugget was transported to a commercial oven, where it was cooked until the meat met the required temperature to ensure it would be safe to eat. Once the chicken nugget was fully cooked, it was weighed and inspected by a Guinness World Records Adjudicator, and the record was confirmed. After the success of accomplishing their goal, the nugget was cut up and distributed to family, friends, and the filming crew to enjoy.[6]
4 Bunny to the Hoop
World Record: Most basketball slam dunks in one minute by a rabbit On Halloween in 2016, Bini the Bunny, from Long Beach, California, set the record for the most slam dunks in one minute by a rabbit after an amazing seven slam dunks. The Holland Lop rabbit was trained by Shai Lighter and has captured the attention of millions by performing unique tricks and showcasing never before seen talents. Not only does Bini deserve a role in the next Space Jam to compete with Bugs Bunny because of his basketball skills, but he is also the only bunny in the world who can paint, comb hair, and play arcade games. Bini the bunny enjoys painting so much that he has created over 300 masterpieces, which have been shipped around the world to his many adoring fans, known as “Hoppers.” Bini also updates his social media channels on his life of adventures.[7]
3 What the… Toothpaste?
World Record: Largest collection of toothpaste tubes Watch this video on YouTube This may come as no surprise, but the largest collection of toothpaste tubes belongs to a dentist named Val Kolpakov from Alpharetta, Georgia. In 2012 when the record was set, his collection consisted of 2,037 different tubes of toothpaste from all over the world. But as of 2020, he now has over 3,000 tubes in his collection. His collection includes a variety of toothpaste tubes from all over the globe, including Russia, China, Korea, India, and Japan. Kolpakov actually wanted to start by collecting teeth that he pulled but soon discovered that toothpaste containers would be much more exciting and probably a little less gross. The decision was probably for the best, considering his collection is partially displayed at his dental practice in Atlanta.[8]
2 Toga! Toga! Toga!
World Record: Largest toga party On February 24, 2012, a toga party about 200 times the size of the one in Animal House broke the world record for the largest toga party. It consisted of 3,700 attendees and was held at Riverstage in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The party to end all parties was organized by the University of Queensland Union (UQU) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Guild and was intended as a celebration to end orientation week. The previous record for the largest toga party was set over a decade before this one in Oregon, with 2,166 participants. But nothing was stopping UQU and QUT Guild in their attempt to break that record, even some adverse weather conditions, as it was said that party-goers came through the entrance soaking wet. A team of organizers working with a Guinness World Records Adjudicator spent three hours placing numbered stickers on those taking part in setting the new record. But the rain became too much, forcing them to end registration. Guinness World Records only accepts a count for which solid evidence is evident. The final number would surely be higher if those turned away had been able to register for that final hour. Still, regardless, the record was broken, and the crowd celebrated after the official announcement was made. The crowd cheered with excitement, and fireworks lit up the sky, even with the rain.[9]
1 I Need More Hairspray!
World Record: Widest wig A world record for the widest wig is probably the least expected one on this list but was set on more than one occasion. The wig was created by prop specialists Kelly Hanson and Randy Carfagno Productions. The gigantic blonde piece measured 7 feet 4 inches (2.23 meters) wide, surpassing the previous record holder at just over 5 feet (1.5 meters). It even sported two red bows. The wig was worn by actress Drew Barrymore while on the set of The Tonight Show in New York on January 27, 2017. During the show, the star made an attempt to break three actual Guinness World Records in front of the live audience. The first was for most lipstick applications in 30 seconds, which she came close to reaching. The second attempt was for most paper banners run through in 30 seconds, but she proved unsuccessful once again. Her final attempt was verified as a success when a Guinness World Records Adjudicator approached the stage for inspection. The wig was specially made for Barrymore’s record-breaking attempt, and it took four people to assist in placing the heaping hairpiece on Barrymore’s head. After receiving her new title as the record holder for the widest wig, she wore it on set and graciously bowed to the audience.[10]
