Robert Wadlow died due to a septic blister on his right ankle caused by a poorly-fitted iron brace, which he wore to support his legs. At this point he weighed 122 kg, was 2.24 m tall and it took over 11 m2 of 91.5 cm wide material to make his custom-made uniform. For Roberts shoe spokesman travels, his father modified the family car. The skeleton when measured properly should be 7 3 . At age 19, hed reached 262 centimeters (87) and was declared the tallest man in the world. This medical school museum houses a collection of fetuses and models illustrating various stages of development. Try finding shoes of that size at a local store in 1928. [1] He enrolled in Shurtleff College with the intention of studying law. People treated him differently here he was just one of the folks that lived here.. This is usually because of a malfunction of the body's endocrine system, most especially its pituitary gland. This home movie foot. His shoe size was 17.5. Guinness World Records Kids (opens in a new window), GWR Merchandise Store (opens in a new window), Corporate Social Responsibility activities & fundraising ideas, Community engagement & tourism marketing activities. By the age of just six years old he was already 5 ft 7 in tall and by the end of the following year he had outgrown his father. Rare color footage of the tallest man in medical history, Robert Wadlow (1918-1940), who stood 8 feet 11 inches and weighed 491 pounds. How new technologies could solve a major ethical issue, Future microbatteries could help tiny robots tackle space and time, Dark matter behavior may conflict with our best theory of the universe, Barcelona-based startup launches first-ever 5G standard low-Earth orbit satellite, An 81-year-old Indian is taking one of the toughest examinations in the world. Guinness World Records Kids (opens in a new window), GWR Merchandise Store (opens in a new window), Corporate Social Responsibility activities & fundraising ideas, Community engagement & tourism marketing activities. This was made in reference to his paternal grandparents' golden wedding. Wadlow stood at 8-foot-11 with a shoe size of 37AA. We are confident you can work out why. On 17 June 1871, Anna married Martin van Buren Bates, who stood 236.22 cm (7 ft 9 in) tall, and they became the tallest married couple ever. In general, his main source of income was public appearances. Robert's arm span was 2.88 meters and he consumed around 8000 calories a day at his peak. All those shoestores had one of his 'huge' shoes on display. Robert Wadlow was known as the "Gentle Giant." Despite his dramatic height (eight feet 11.1 inches at his tallest), Wadlow was known as a quiet man, beloved by those in his hometown of Alton, Illinois. WHAT MAKES A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS TITLE? At 12 months, hed grown to 20 kilograms (45 lb), and at 18 months, hed reached 30 kilograms (67 lb). They are amazing. It is correct for them to say that the individual was between 7 and 8 feet. Outside his hometown, he couldnt walk far without a group of onlookers accumulating and invariably stepping on his feet as they drew close. This soon became infected and he became very ill. Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Today he is still fondly remembered by local residents in his hometown of Alton, Illinois, and is still the holder of various world records. Top 10 Freaky Facts About The Tallest Man. Manage Settings FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom, Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. Robert generally didnt mind. His gravestone has a simple, yet poignant message, "At Rest". At age 13 Robert measured in at 7 foot 4 inches, weighing 250 pounds. Genetti has worked for newspapers in Missouri, Iowa, Texas, and Illinois. Wadlow required leg braces when walking and had little feeling in his legs and feet. By the time of his graduation from Alton High School in 1936, he was 8ft 4in (254cm). My brother, John, is now in possession of her high school yearbooks.You ought to see the pictures of him with the 'normal . Robert Wadlow's height surpassed Rogan's in 1939. At no point in history has a woman been considered the tallest human ever. Another real-life giant was Robert Wadlow, also known as the Alton giant. Dan Brannan (the author of "Boy Giant") recalls that He would get burned out sometimes when he was out on the road for so long. . Although the length of the skeleton does not determine the size of that person in life, a person 7 foot 3 inches is still the tallest of nba players: Adding 3/8 of an inch to a 7 foot skeleton, for skin, fat, muscle, ligaments etc. Measuring 2.46m 8ft 1in, Patrick Cotter OBrien (1760-1806) earned the title of tallest Irishman. He has been a guest speaker on numerous national radio and television stations and is a five time published author. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. His coffin measured 10ft 9in (3.28m) long by 2ft 8in (0.81m) wide by 2ft 6in (0.76m) deep, weighed over 1,000lb (450kg), and was carried by twelve pallbearers and eight assistants. Another of the many cases of modern gigantism include that of Charles Byrne (1761-1783), known as "The Irish Giant," whose skeleton is now on display at the Royal College of Surgeons of England in London. Now aged 20, this record is open for a new tall teen to take. The sports network posted a picture of pro basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, who tops off at 7-foot-1 with a size 23 shoe, next to a statue of Wadlow (more commonly known as the Alton Giant) in a museum with an oversized ruler. But sadly, this "gentle giant" didn't live long. Lets examine why. At age nine, Robert was able to carry his father up a flight of stairs. The area of his burial is believed to be on old Rogan farmland. In order to find a person 7 foot 3 inches the chance you would have to dig 32, 500,000 graves to randomly find a person 7 foot 3 in modern times. Visitor Tips and News About Robert Wadlow, World's Tallest Man. Later that year the 7 ft 2.6 in (220 cm) tall record-breaker flew to Italy to star in La Notte dei Record (The Night of Records) where he spoke to us about his dreams for the future. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time by visiting our unsubscribe page and providing your email address. 18 September 1980), who measured 199.73 cm (6 ft 6.63 in) in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on 25 September 2014. Despite doctors best efforts, the infection would not abate. tourist attractions and odd sights in California. As Robert entered his adult years, he continued to grow. Loma Linda University was where, in 1984, they transplanted the first baboon heart into a human baby (Baby Fae died 20 days later). When he was 20, he found a useful arrangement as a paid spokesman for the International Shoe Company, which also agreed to build his $100 shoes for free. According to Casey Keefer, the skeleton has not been fully excavated or reported in the scientific literature, which its excavators later confirm. Robert's stature led to a very unique life, and he became something of a celebrity for his height. The Travel Channel series called Code of the Wild, in which hosts Casey and Chris Keefer investigate mysteries of exploration. 2018 was a big year for Jeison as he also travelled to Germany to get new shoes made by Wessels, a family business which specialises in producing customised shoes for those with enormous feet. "Verrochio." Hard to believe, but they had these masterpiece paintings just hanging on the walls outside the bathrooms! He remained bedridden for days. GET IN TOUCH WITH A RECORD SPECIALIST (Opens in a new window), customised shoes for those with enormous feet, spoke to us about his dreams for the future, Turkeys Rumeysa Gelgi confirmed as tallest woman living, Turkeys Rumeysa Gelgi is awarded the title of tallest teenager (female) in the world, Video: World's tallest man Sultan Kosen gets married, World's longest legs record broken by Texan teen, This is the man who makes shoes for the biggest feet in the world, Minnesota family confirmed as tallest in the world, How to set or break a Guinness World Records title. (Guinness World Records no longer monitor records based on countries or nationalities just absolute, world records.). On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! Later on in life spinal curvature reduced his standing to 2.38 m (7ft 10 in) tall and died in Chicago in 1981. When he was 14, Robert stumbled only slightly while pushing a boy on a tricycle, but doing so still broke two bones in his feet. The Manistee Planning Commission is scheduled to host a public hearing for a proposed amendment Grow's exhibition opens on Thursday, May 4, and runs throughAugust4. Robert Wadlow, the tallest man ever, was 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m) at his peak height. He had made all these insulting claims about their son based on cursory observations. It is also possible for pituitary tumors to simply be present without affecting hormone release at all. However, it was during one of these long promotional tours that Robert became seriously ill. Don lived in Denton, Montana, and had a twin sister who was 1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) tall. Muresan would be 1 inch taller while Bol was only of an inch taller. Humberd painted Robert as a bitter introvert, angry with his physical state. In order to pay for the ever-increasing costs of his ever-increasing body, 20-year-old Robert began touring with the International Shoe Company, which provided him with his custom-made shoes. Robert would only continue to grow. Electricity can heal even the worst kind of wounds three times faster, new study finds, Our understanding of reverse osmosis has just been proven wrong, Can AI rescue lab rats and guinea pigs? Over 40,000 people attended Roberts funeral in Alton. She stood 1 m 90.5 cm (6 ft 3 in) tall by the age of 10 and was 2.16 m (7 ft 1 in) by 16. Maybe some settling may occur with shipping, I don't know. Mr. Streeper, director of the funeral home, said that all the carpet had to be removed because it had been worn out by the sheer number of visitors. Toulkeridis says no other giant bodies have been found yet. In an amazing sign of respect for their most famous resident, all city businesses also closed down for the funeral. It was kept in Streeper Funeral Home, which was open for two consecutive days and nights to allow people to view Roberts body. What makes a Guinness World Records title? He tipped the scales at 177 kilograms (391 lb). Robert was said to be well-behaved in school and smart for his age. But Robert Wadlows name is now known all over the globe the towering American who measured a staggering 2.72 m (8 ft 11.1 in) tall when last measured on 27 June 1940, becoming the tallest man in the world. When Sun Mingming married Xu Yan (both China), they became the tallest married couple living, having a combined height of 423.47 cm (13 ft 10.72 in). Fire Department uses 30,000 gallons to douse fire, Tax abatements allow Manistee couple to invest back into community, Bear Lake man arraigned on charges including arson, Don't get fooled by these dangerous mushrooms, Northern Michigan couple killed in plane crash in Georgia, 10 of the funniest minor league baseball names, VanderWall to host office hours in Manistee, Mason counties, Zoning amendment for historic district signs to be considered. Robert Wadlow took time in October 1938 to get autographs from Maureen O'Sullivan, left, and Ann Morris. His main difficulty was finding desks that he could sit in.[2]. At his heaviest, Robert weighed 223 kilograms (492 lb). NBA legend Shaq poses with 'Alton Giant', world's tallest man who died in Manistee, Newsletters: Get local news delivered directly to you. As for finding one of his shoes, I am not at all surprised. Wadlow, who has an over-active pituitary gland that causes his radical . My mother was one of his childhood friends and graduated with him from Alton High School. Graduated from high school on January 8, 1936 (not yet 18), At death, he was the world's tallest man according to, This page was last edited on 25 March 2023, at 21:55. Robert's life and death are held in high regard in Alton's history and he is still remembered by many as "a quiet young man who overcame a unique handicap, and who was an inspiration to all of those that knew him.". Robert Pershing Wadlow (February 22, 1918 July 15, 1940), also known as the Alton Giant and the Giant of Illinois, was an American man who was the tallest person in recorded history for whom there is irrefutable evidence. per police blotter. On July 4, Robert appeared at the National Forest Festival in Manistee, Michigan, and walked in a parade. Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! It is not known which museum the photo was taken in, however, the "Ripley's Believe it or Not!" So digging through graveyards you would need to dig up 1,300,000 graves to find one modern individual that was taller than 7 feet. 2019 Boban Marjanovi (7 ft 3), Kristaps Porziis (7 ft 3 ) not one person taller in 2019! Meanwhile Venezuelan JeisonOrlando Rodriguez Hernandez has held the record for largest feet on a living person (male) since 2014 when the right was 40.1 cm (1 ft 3.79 in) and his left foot measured 39.6 cm (1 ft 3.59 in). Robert Wadlow enjoyed very good health for most of his young life. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip. That could be because at his maximum height, in his final year of life, he actually weighed "only" 440 pounds. On hearing about thetallest man ever recorded the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus decided to approach and recruit him to join them on a national tour. Robert Wadlows first record title was the tallest teenager ever (male), measuring a huge 2.45 m (8 ft 0.5 in) at the age of 17. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Generally speaking, gigantism takes one of two forms:-. At the time of his death, he had a pair of 39s under construction. Trip Planning Caution: RoadsideAmerica.com offers maps, directions and attraction details as a convenience, providing all information as is. His hypertrophic pituitary gland was diagnosed by doctors, but they advised the family to avoid any attempts at removing it surgically. Okay Thom Braidy you cousin to the sports ball cheater. It would be the last time his height was measured. Wadlow's height was 8ft 11.1in (2.72m)[2][3][4] while his weight reached 439lb (199kg) at his death at age 22. In 1930, however, no treatments were available. We'll use the information you provide us to contact you via email about our relevant content, products and services. Being a literal giant isnt easy. Robert Wadlow died in his sleep at 1:30 AM on July 15, 1940. After getting the autographs, the 20-year-old Wadlow posed for their publicity photo . After Roberts death, his family destroyed most of his belongings because they did not want them to be collected and displayed as freak or giant memorabilia. Therefore he might remain the tallest man for a very long time,", Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Minute Bol is likely the tallest natural height for a modern human being who is 76 in height. There was always the danger of chairs breaking under his weight. . Robert Wadlow's mild and humble nature often meant he was very gracious about his constant attention from the public. [6], In 1938, he began a promotional tour with the International Shoe Company, which provided him shoes free of charge,[7] again only in his everyday street clothes. Currently in Philadelphia Pennsylvania you can see the Mutter Giant, which is 76. There's a Wadlow-sized chair by the Robert Wadlow statue. This would make him 99.9% taller than all basketball players. Due to his immense height for his age, he earned himself the nickname the "Dropper" whenever he played basketball. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. At the age of 17, Robert was hospitalized for eight weeks due to an infection caused by a shoe-pad which was designed to support his foot arches. At this time, the ever-growing teen was consuming five times as many calories per day compared to typical boys his age. He also expressed doubt on various teachers claims that Robert was intelligent. Which means that this 73 skeleton came from a 76 individual when they were alive. He had a very high temperature," Harold Jr recounted in an interview with Dan Brannan for the book Boy Giant. Jamie founded Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. Sandy Allen (USA, born 18 June 1955) was last found to be 2 m 31.7 cm (7 ft 7.25 in). (Perhaps in other Ripley's also?) To this day she remains the tallest woman ever. Eight men and a reinforced stretcher were required to carry Wadlow to the hospital. [6] During his appearances, he dressed in his everyday clothes and refused the circus's request that he wear a top hat and tails. On June 2, 1936, a medical doctor named Charles Humberd visited Robert and his family. The skeleton when measured properly should be 7 '3" . For one, Robert required a lot of food. He was a member of the Boy Scouts and even joined the Order of DeMolay which was a youth group affiliated with the local Masonic Lodge. On 19 July 1940, a huge crowd - estimated to be around 1,000 people gathered outside the funeral home, where services were conducted by Rev. So we are NOT going to use anything from academia,. Please confirm by clicking the link in the email to be added to our mailing list. Robert Wadlow's hand's size was also impressive indeed. The seven feet statement is a low safe estimate, very conservative which shows unwarranted respect to the skeptics of giants that bring all their biases. Since then they've grown even further; as of 3 June 2018 he had measurements of40.55 cm (1 ft 3.96 in) and 40.47 cm (1 ft 3.93 in) for his right and left feet respectively. If you've ever wondered how tall Alton's Robert Wadlow was in real life, take a look at the image posted by ESPN's SportsCenter on Instagram. Robert Pershing Wadlow was born in Alton on February 22, 1918, a normal-size baby, but soon his perky pituitary gland triggered abnormal growth. His height was natural as there has been no evidence of a pituitary tumor, which is so frequent today in the crippling condition of gigantism. Wadlow was a celebrity in his short lifetime and worked as a spokesman for a shoe company. Robert Pershing Wadlow (February 22, 1918 - July 15, 1940), also known as the Alton Giant and the Giant of Illinois, was an American who became famous as the tallest person in recorded history for whom there is irrefutable evidence. Robert was a very big man, and he needed some very big items for day-to-day life. The front passenger seat was removed, allowing Robert to sit in the back and stretch his legs out. Rare footage show the world tallest man Robert Wadlow in 1936. By age four, Anna was said to have stood 137.16 cm (4 ft 6 in) tall and weighed 42.64 kg (94 lb). Robert and his father travelled over 300,000 miles, visiting over 800 towns and 41 states to promote the company's shoes. Unfortunately, due to his extreme height and weight, he was plagued by foot injuries throughout his life and required medical attention at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri several times, according to newspaper articles transcribed by Illinois Genealogy Trails. It secretes an increased amount of growth hormone during puberty, but if it malfunctions, it can release too much. It's now more than 100 years since the tallest man everwas born. Loma Linda University was where, in 1984, they transplanted the first baboon heart into a human baby (Baby Fae died 20 days later). Robert Wadlow, the tallest man ever, was 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m) at his peak height. This is unlikely (town of Alton, Illinois, site of his burial, doth protest), though Shryock exhibits two pituitary giant skeletons -- neither as tall as Wadlow. Whether it be the tallest woman living, tallest teenager living, or tallest bodybuilder, theres something about them that fascinates people around the globe. By the time of his 18th birthday, he clocked in at just under 8 feet and 4. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. All rights reserved. The Wadlows feared that Roberts body might be dug up, perhaps by doctors for research, so his coffin was placed in a solid concrete vault. FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramLinkedInSnapchatPinterestTiktok, Registered Office: Ground Floor, The Rookery, 2 Dyott Street, London, WC1A 1DE, United Kingdom, Otto - Longest human tunnel travelled through by a skateboarding dog, Ashrita Furman - Most Guinness World Records titles held. The twins then named Robert Wadlow as the tallest man "of whom there is irrefutable evidence". The most common cause of an overactive pituitary gland is a benign tumor (called an adenoma) forcing excess hormone to be secreted. WHAT MAKES A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS TITLE? A decision was taken to forge and raise a life-size bronze statue that was completed in 1985. I came out of the main building's restroom to find Daniel in a dead-end corridor. His teammates loved it as all they needed to do to easily score was to just pass him the ball. Fortunately, no one in the future will have to suffer in the same way as the tallest man ever; a gentle giant who took it all in his long stride. Dr. Charles Humberd, a coroner and doctor who had been studying gigantism, paid a visit to examine 18-year-old Robert Wadlow in 1936. RoadsideAmerica.comYour Online Guide to Offbeat Tourist Attractions. My regression formula has Robert Wadlow around 8 foot 11 and a 1/4 . One such company was the International Shoe Company who sponsored a nationwide tour for Robert. [1], On July 4, 1940, during a professional appearance at the Manistee National Forest Festival, a faulty brace irritated his ankle, leading to infection. From 2011 to 2013, Genetti wrote a syndicated baseball column that published daily throughout the country. He was born and raised in Alton, Illinois, a small city near St. Louis, Missouri.[1]. Robert Pershing Wadlow (February 22, 1918 - July 15, 1940), also known as the Alton Giant and the Giant of Illinois, was an American man who was the tallest person in recorded history for whom there is irrefutable evidence. However, in Sultans case, his hormones kept on going and his bones continued growing. Most boys stop growing around age 16, give or take. I have seen the bronze statue, but there is a better likeness in Ripley's Believe It or Not in Orlando FL. Despite his abnormal size, Robert lived a happy and relatively normal childhood. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. He had an arm span of about 2.9 meters (9.5 ft), and his shoes were size 37, which is 47 centimeters (19 in) long. However, among this pantheon of giants, there is one who stands head and shoulders above the rest. Start here.Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Robert was buried in Altons Oakwood Cemetery. This chart documents his rapid rise from childhood up to his final measurement at the age of 22. He was born and raised in Alton, Illinois.. Wadlow reached 8 ft 11.1 in (2.72 m) in height and weighed 439 lb (199 kg) at his death at age 22. When he was six months old, he weighed 14 kilograms (30 lb), roughly twice as heavy as a typical six-month-old. The diseased modern giant Robert Wadlow, whom because of his disease does not represent healthy height had a femur length of 28.5 inches. At age 10, his feet were cyanotic, meaning that they had a blue color due to poor circulation. A 10-ft-9-in (3.28 m) steel coffin, weighing over 1,000 lbs (453 kg), was specially constructed and required at least 16 pallbearers to carry. At 8 Feet 11 Inches, Robert Wadlow Was the World's Tallest Man. He visited more than 800 towns in 41 states, traveling over 500,000 kilometers (300,000 mi) for the company. Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in California. Copyright 1996-2023 Doug Kirby, Ken Smith, Mike Wilkins. Robert Wadlow's height and weight continued to increase at a relatively rapid pace until his family was first informed about his over-active pituitary gland in 1929, just before his 12th birthday. But his height was not the only thing 'gigantic' about him. He also took up a part-time job in an ice cream shop. Shaquille O'Neal with the Boston Celtics. It is correct for them to say that the individual was between 7 and 8 feet. His heart didnt have an easy job, having to circulate blood to the ends of his long limbs. Sultan also currently boasts the largest hands, at 28.5 cm (11.2 in) from wrist to fingertip. It was erected and can still be visited today on the campus of the Southern Illinois University of Dental Medicine. There is no sign of gigantism acromegaly what-so-ever. Gigantism is caused by a pituitary tumor and while pseudo-scientists look at a large skeleton and mislabel it gigantism because of their own shortcomings, it should be known that there is no way to recognize a oituitary tumor externally, or with the naked eye. He died in 1940 in Manistee, Michigan. His condition did, however, result in his extra large feet giving him constant aggravation. On the 15th of July, 1940 at around 1:30 am Robert passed away peacefully as he slept. The bathtub alone provided quite a snag, as it would have had to have been cast at a foundry, at a cost of up to $1,000. By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Policies You may unsubscribe at any time. GET IN TOUCH WITH A RECORD SPECIALIST (Opens in a new window), On This Day in 1918: The tallest man ever is born, Prizes dont come any bigger: World's tallest man Sultan Kosen visits British school after competition win, Canadian confirmed as tallest teenager in the world, "Thank god for drag queens": Finding heels with size 16 feet, World's tallest man, Sultan Ksen, celebrates 40th birthday, Why Robert Wadlow will be the tallest person ever, forever, How to set or break a Guinness World Records title. His skeleton, however, is much shorter. He was buried atUpper Alton Cemetery, Alton in Illinois. They supplied him with size 37 and a half shoes for free thereafter and his fame soon began to grow. [1][12][13] He was buried at Oakwood Cemetery in Upper Alton, Madison County, Illinois. He was treated with a blood transfusion and surgery, but his condition worsened due to an autoimmune disease; he died in his sleep on July 15.[11][1]. He wore US size 37AA shoes (UK size 36; EU size 75), equivalent to 18.5 in (47 cm) long. This form is more prevalent in men than women. Following his death, Robert's family destroyed most of his possessions. A post shared by SportsCenter (@sportscenter). He also weighed around 200 kg. Kosen also has the largest hands of a living person with each measuring 28.5 cm from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger. Manage Settings Roberts coffin was too long to fit entirely inside the hearse, so the back doors were kept open and a black cloth was used to conceal the protruding part. Born in Alton, Illinois, USA on 22 February 1918, Robert reached unprecedented heights from an early age. Height of average adult male (global average). More often than not, such growths will cause too much prolactin to be secreted, but in some cases, excess growth hormone is released. The tallest ballet dancer is Fabrice Calmels (France, b. They are our first giants.. A post shared by SportsCenter (@sportscenter) The sports network posted a picture of pro basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal, who tops off at 7-foot-1 with a size 23 shoe, next to a statue of Wadlow (more commonly known as the Alton Giant) in a museum with an oversized ruler. Such tumors are referred to as non-secreting.[3]. By the age of just six years old he was already 5 ft 7 in tall and by the end of the following . The plans for the house never came to fruition. Robert joined the Boy Scouts at 13, becoming the worlds tallest Boy Scout at 224 centimeters (74). More, Last Supper Museum, Douglas, Arizona (May 1-7, 2023). Perhaps surprisingly, Robert entered the world no differently to most babies. They have a big chair that he would require, too. On top of that, his job also involved facing large assemblages of people. A newspaper article said his maternal grandfather was also a giant, requiring a larger saddle when he rode horses, hinting at a possible genetic inheritance. His name was Robert Wadlow, and he stood eight-foot-eleven -- the tallest man who ever lived. In 2010, revolutionary gamma-knife surgery on the tumour finally halted Sultan's production of growth hormones and stopped the worlds tallest man from getting any taller. As an adult, Robert needed leg braces to walk and also used a cane nearly as tall as an average adult. Its estimated that 33,295 people viewed Roberts body or attended the funeral. On June 27, 1940, Roberts height was measured. Robert had to sleep at a hotel, as the hospital had nothing large enough to accommodate him. Robert Wadlow, 10, right, of Alton, poses with an 11-year-old boy of average height in 1929.