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N0KFQ > TODAY 27.08.16 16:10l 54 Lines 2557 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 5654_N0KFQ
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Subj: Today in History - Aug 27
Path: IW8PGT<CX2SA<N0KFQ
Sent: 160827/1450Z 5654@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ6.0.12
1955
"The Guinness Book of Records" debuts
On this day in 1955, the first edition of "The Guinness Book of
Records" is published in Great Britain; it quickly proves to be a
hit. Now known as the "Guinness World Records" book, the annual
publication features a wide range of feats related to humans and
animals. To date, the book has sold more than 130 million copies,
been translated into more than two dozen languages and is the
top-selling copyrighted title in history.
The inspiration for the record book can be traced to November
1951, when Sir Hugh Beaver, managing director of the Guinness
Brewery (founded in Dublin in 1759), was on a hunting trip in
Ireland. After failing to shoot a golden plover, Beaver and the
members of his hunting party debated whether the creature was
Europe's fastest game bird but were unable to locate a book with
the answer.
Thinking that patrons of Britain's pubs would enjoy a record book
which could be used to settle friendly disagreements, Beaver
decided to have one produced. He hired twin brothers Norris and
Ross McWhirter, the founders of a London-based agency that
provided facts and statistics to newspapers and advertisers. The
book was intended to be given away for free in pubs to promote
the Guinness brand; however, it turned out to be so popular the
company started selling it that fall and it became a best-seller.
An American edition debuted in 1956 and was soon followed by
editions in a number of other countries. The McWhirters traveled
the globe to research and verify records. Ross McWhirter was
involved in compiling the book until his death in 1975 at the
hands of Irish Republican Army gunmen; his brother Norris
continued to serve as the book's editor until 1986.
Today, the thousands of official Guinness records include the
oldest person ever (Jeanne Louise Calment of France, who died in
1997 at 122 years and 164 days old); the tallest dog ever (a
now-deceased Great Dane from Michigan named Zeus, who in 2011
measured 44 inches from foot to withers); and the largest
underwater human pyramid (62 people in 2013 in Thailand). Ashrita
Furman of New York holds more records than anyone else on the
planet. His numerous accomplishments include the longest
continuous distance somersaulted (12 miles 390 yards), most
apples cut in midair with a samurai sword in 1 minute (29) and
fastest mile with a milk bottle balanced on his head (7 minutes
47 seconds).
73 - K.O., n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
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