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Robert
Wadlow is the world's tallest man at 8 feet 11 inches.
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Robert Pershing Wadlow (1918 - 1940) was and is the tallest human being
ever recorded. He reached 8' 11.1" (272 cm) in height and 490 pounds
(222.26 kg) in weight before his death at the age of 22. His height was
due to an overactive pituitary gland.
Robert Wadlow was born in Alton, Illinois on February 22 1918. At the
time he weighed only 8' 6 ounces (3.8 kg). He attracted attention due to
his rapid growth when all his four siblings grew at a more normal speed.
At the age of 13 he became the world's tallest Boy Scout with a height
of 7'4 (224 cm).
At age 18 his height was 8'4 (254 cm) and he weighed 390 pounds (177
kg). His size 37 shoes cost $100.00 a pair.
At the age of 20 Wadlow signed a contract with the International Shoe
Company; he received free shoes in exchange for a promotional tour. He
traveled all around the USA with his father. In 1936 he enrolled in
Shurtleff College with the intention of studying law.
By 1937 he had exceeded the previous records. However, his size begun to
take its toll. He had to keep braces in his feet to walk and had little
sensation in them.
On July 4 1940 Wadlow was taken ill in Manistee, Michigan; a faulty
brace had caused a blister and bad infection. Doctors treated him with
blood transfusions and emergency surgery but his fever got worse. On
July 15 1940 he died in his sleep. He was buried in Alton on July 19.
In 1984 his hometown raised a bronze statue in his memory. His family
destroyed his belongings lest they become collectables.
Robert
Wadlow's growth chart
|
Age
|
Height |
|
8 |
6ft (182 cm) |
| 10 |
6ft 6in (198 cm) 220 pounds (100 kg) |
| 14 |
7ft 4in (224cm) |
| 16 |
7ft 10.5in (240 cm) 365 pounds (166kg) |
| 17 |
8ft 1.5in (248 cm) 400 pounds (180 kg) |
| 18 |
8 ft 4 in (254 cm) 390 pounds (177kg) |
| 22 (on birthday) |
8ft9.5in (268 cm) 491 pounds (223kg) |
| 22 (time of death) |
8ft 11.1in
(272 cm) 490 pounds (222kg) |
It was confirmed for the 2008 Guinness
Book of World Records that Leonid Stadnik is the tallest 'still living' man in
the world. Leonid Stadnik lives an isolated life, has trouble
finding clothes and shoes that fit and no longer expects any help from
bureaucrats, the Ukrainian said in an interview.
Leonid Stadnik stands 8 feet 5 inches
tall.
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