Who is the greatest man of all time? This question, imbued with a fascination for human prodigies, takes us on a journey through history in search of those extraordinary individuals whose size defied the limits of nature. For centuries, the world has been marked by exceptional figures, giants among men, whose imposing stature and fame have endured through stories and legends.
Discovering the greatest man or the heavier of all time, is to delve into the archives of the extraordinary, exploring mythical tales and historical facts in an attempt to unveil the person whose size has fascinated so many people. So, who is the tallest person in the history of mankind? Find out in this article!
Who is the greatest man of all time?
For millennia, mankind has been fascinated by exceptional individuals of extraordinary height. The enduring question of who is the tallest man of all time has captured the collective imagination and spawned legendary tales down the ages.
Among the historical figures, a few names stand out, such as :
- Robert Wadlowoften considered as the greatest man in modern history. Nicknamed the "Alton Giant", he measured 2.72 metres when it is died in 1940. His exceptional stature was due to hyperplasia of the pituitary gland, which causes abnormally rapid growth.
Other historical figures have also left their mark, such as John Rogana former American slave, or Sultan Kösen, a Turk measuring 2.51 metres, recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest man alive in 2011.
Robert Wadlow: a young child already wearing clothes designed for teenagers
Speculations were given about Robert Wadlow. It was thought that perhaps he came into the world in the same way as other babies. Indeed, when he was born on February 22, 1918, he weighed 3.85 kg and had normal parents.
- It was after this that he began to grow rapidly, reaching the size of a 1.63 m at age 5. Which is incredible, and unheard of for a child at that age. He was already wearing teenage clothes when he was only 5 years old.
- By the age of 8, Robert had already surpassed his father, Harold F. Wadlow, measuring 180.3 cm (5 feet 11 inches)and surpassed his younger siblings. While most children were carried by their parents, he had the strength to lift his father up the stairs of the family home.
- However, his exceptional size led to medical problems that worsened as he grew. Despite this, he strove to participate in the same activities as his peers. At 13, he became a scout and had a uniform, a tent and one personalized sleeping bags.
- At the age of 17 years oldRobert has surpassed 2.45 meters (8 feet 0.5 inches)making him, unsurprisingly, the greatest teenager of all time.
- In 1936, the young man graduated from high school and went on to study law at university.
Robert Wadlow's world fame: his life in the spotlight
Years later, Robert Wadlow embarked on a tour with the famous Ringling Brother Circus. This propelled him to worldwide fame. In a radio interview, when asked if he was bothered by people's stares, his serene reply was:
"No, I just forget about them.
His humility in the face of his burgeoning fame enabled him to make the most of his public appearances. At the same time, a promotional tour with the International Show Company (now INTERCO) enabled him to obtain free custom-made shoes. This was a real relief for him, whose feet measured 47 cm (18.5 inches)the largest ever recorded.
These shoes costing up to $100, would be equivalent to 1,500 (£1,026) currently. His hands, measuring 32.3 cm (12.7 inches) from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger, were also the largest hands known. This phenomenon raised the question: what was the cause of Robert's exceptional size?
The mysteries of Robert Wadlow's exceptional height
After examination, the doctors identified Robert's pituitary hyperplasia responsible for his exceptional height. This condition induces abnormal production of human growth hormone, and Robert never underwent any treatment to curb the effect. Dr Donald Rau, medical consultant to Guinness World Records, commented: "Robert Wadlow stayed away from operating theatres, as surgeons lacked the confidence to intervene. He may therefore retain his status as the tallest man for a long time to come."
Despite consuming 8,000 calories a day, he continued to grow until his death. Since then, technological advances and treatments have evolved considerably. This offers people with pituitary gigantism, such as Sultan Kösen, the tallest man alive in 2017, the possibility of undergoing surgery to regulate growth hormone production.
Due to his condition, Robert mobility problemsHe wears leg braces and uses a cane, but refuses to use a wheelchair.
What caused Robert Wadlow's death?
It was Wadlow's legs that caused his untimely death. At just 22 years of age, he died at 1:30 a.m. on July 15, 1940, in a hotel in Manistee, Michigan. His death was due to a sepsis caused by an ill-fitting splint on his right ankle, adjusted a week earlier.
His last words were, "The doctor says I won't be home for the... celebrations," referring to his paternal grandparents' golden wedding anniversary. After his death, the Alton giant was laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery, Alton, in a huge coffin measuring 3.28 metres (10 feet 9 inches) long, 81 centimetres (32 inches) wide and 76 centimetres (30 inches) deep.
Robert Wadlow: a global legacy
- In 1986, a life-size statue of Wadlow was erected on College Avenue in Alton, opposite the local history and art museum, in tribute to the city's most famous resident. Life-size replicas of him are also on display in museums across the globe.
- Its influence even extends to the realm of music: when American artist Sufjan Stevens in 2005 recorded a song entitled "The Tallest Man, the Broadest Shouldersinspired by Wadlow's life. The title "The Tallest Man" remains a favorite of Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records, who says the record resonates worldwide, with every country recognizing its symbolic power.
- The stature of the greatest man of all time remains etched in our minds. in history and in Guinness World record archives - a record that may never be beaten, an extraordinary standard that may never be equalled.
For the 60ᵉ anniversary, a retrospective of the tallest people, from Robert Wadlow to Sultan Kösen (currently 8 feet 2.8 inches tall), has been produced. In the video, Craig Glenday shares the iconic importance of this category, accompanied by archival footage and interviews with medical experts and celebrities. Schoolchildren also share their perspectives on the challenges that could arise from the distinction of being the world's tallest man.
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