Buzz
While we're all familiar with well-known records like the longest fingernails, the biggest beard, or even the heaviest cat, there are some oddball records that you might not have heard of—such as the largest yo-yo or the world’s biggest cake pop.
The first edition of The Guinness Book of Records was released in the United Kingdom on August 27, 1955. Just four years earlier, Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of Guinness Brewery, came up with the idea for the record book during a hunting trip in Ireland. During the trip, Beaver and his companions debated which bird was the fastest in Europe after they failed to catch a plover. But they couldn’t settle the argument easily.
This inspired Beaver to create a “book” of facts and trivia to help people resolve such debates in pubs across Britain. After hiring the McWhirter brothers, experts in facts and figures, the first edition of the book was given away to promote the Guinness brand. Its popularity quickly grew, and by the fall of 1956, it was sold commercially. Soon, it was available in America and other countries.
Now called Guinness World Records, the organization maintains over 40,000 records in its database. Among them is the fact that the plover holds the title of Europe’s fastest game bird. With 20 categories spanning arts & crafts, marathons, money, and large-scale events, Guinness records cover a wide range of extraordinary achievements. Here’s a list of 10 unusual Guinness World Records that are sure to surprise you. (I know they surprised me!)
10. The Canhead
World Record: Most drink cans placed on head using air suction
Jamie Keeton from Kenosha, Wisconsin, holds the Guinness World Record for the most drink cans placed on his head using air suction, having set this record twice. On June 1, 2022, Jamie broke his own record by managing to get 10 beverage cans to stick to his head using this unusual skill. To qualify for the record, the cans had to stay in place for at least five seconds.
This wasn't Jamie’s first attempt at breaking this particular record. In 2016, he initially set the record with eight cans, but in 2019, a challenger surpassed his achievement with nine cans. In 2022, Jamie returned to reclaim his title by successfully attaching ten cans to his head, once again earning the Guinness World Record.
Jamie, affectionately known as “Canhead,” discovered that his remarkable ability is linked to a rare and peculiar medical condition. While most people’s skin absorbs just enough oxygen to maintain the top layer of skin cells, Jamie’s skin absorbs significantly more, increasing his oxygen levels by 23%. This oddity allows his body to act like a magnet, making his can-suction feat possible.
Jamie first realized his extraordinary ability at the age of seven, although he didn't fully understand the scope of his talent until he shaved his head and went to a baseball game. While trying to cool off with a cold soda can on his head, a home run was hit, and as Jamie reached for the ball, he noticed his soda can was no longer in his hand—it had become stuck to the back of his head.
Now, Jamie uses his rare magnetic-like skill for entertainment, even turning it into a business. He can attach heavier objects to his body, such as a full can of peanuts, and he’s able to pour drinks from bottles that remain stuck to his head. He proudly calls himself a “real-life mutant.”
9. It’s All About the Wheelz
World Record: Longest wheelchair ramp jump
Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham was born with spina bifida, a condition that impairs the development of the spine and spinal cord, leading to mobility loss in Aaron's case. Despite this, Aaron’s passion for extreme sports led him to create wheelchair motocross, eventually earning him the world record for the longest wheelchair ramp jump.
Aaron was adopted into a family with six children, and as he grew up, he was inspired by his older brother, Brian, who performed BMX tricks at the local skatepark. With some encouragement from Brian and their father, Aaron decided to give it a try in his wheelchair. His first attempt involved dropping from a 4-foot (1.2-meter) quarter pipe. Even after falling, Aaron persisted until he succeeded.
Since that moment, Aaron has created his own version of BMX and skateboarding stunts for wheelchairs, known as WCMX, or wheelchair motocross. He has perfected this sport, adding advanced moves like carving, grinding, hand-planting, and power-sliding to the repertoire.
Aaron's first world record came in 2008 when he landed the first-ever wheelchair backflip. He continued to break records, and in 2011, he became the first person to complete a wheelchair front flip. He has set numerous records in the years that followed.
On July 20, 2018, Aaron achieved a monumental feat at the Woodward West Summer Camp in Tehachapi, California. That day, he set three world records at the skatepark: the highest wheelchair quarter-pipe drop-in at 27 feet 6.7 inches (8.4 meters), the highest wheelchair hand plant at the same height, and the longest wheelchair ramp jump at 70 feet (21.35 meters).
8. A World of Primates
World Record: Longest-running wild primate study
Dr. Jane Goodall, an English primatologist and anthropologist, has made history with her groundbreaking research on wild chimpanzees. Over the past 60 years, her unwavering dedication has earned her a Guinness World Record for the longest-running wild primate study. This study, known as the Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve Study, began when Dr. Goodall was just 26 years old on July 14, 1960, in what is now Gombe National Park in Tanzania.
When Dr. Goodall first arrived in Gombe in the early 1960s, she had no formal higher education, lived in a tent, and had very limited resources for her research. Today, researchers enjoy better amenities, including housing and advanced technologies like tablets and GIS mapping. Throughout her study, Dr. Goodall has accumulated over 165,000 hours of observational data, studying more than 320 named chimpanzees in the park. This work has led to over 430 academic papers and the guidance of 39 graduate students pursuing doctoral or master's degrees.
Additionally, two twin chimpanzees, Golden and Glitter, from the park have earned a Guinness World Record themselves as the oldest chimpanzee twins ever recorded. Chimpanzee twins are a rare occurrence in the wild, and Dr. Goodall and her team have followed their development over the years. One of the twins even went on to have her own set of twins!
7. Tunnel of Doggie Love
World Record: Longest human tunnel traveled through by a skateboarding dog
During Guinness World Record Day in 2015 (yes, it really exists and falls on November 17), Otto, a three-year-old English Bulldog, made history by setting the record for the longest human tunnel traveled through by a skateboarding dog. The event took place in Otto's hometown of Lima, Peru, where he successfully skated through the legs of 30 people. Quite an amazing feat!
To qualify for the record, each person in the tunnel had to stand in the same direction with their legs apart, ensuring Otto could skate through without being touched or helped along the way. A huge crowd gathered to witness Otto's extraordinary achievement, and videos of his performance quickly went viral, making him an overnight sensation.
Otto’s owners, Luciana Viale and Robert Rickards, decided to adopt the bulldog after watching videos of the fastest dog on a skateboard. It didn't take long for their new puppy to master various tricks such as playing football, surfing, and skating. One day, as Luciana and Otto were playing, she saw him approaching at high speed on his skateboard. To avoid a crash, she quickly formed a tunnel with her legs for him to skate through, and that’s when the idea to break the human tunnel record was born.
The family also has another skateboarding bulldog named Lola, who happens to be Otto’s best friend.
6. Miss Hula Hoop
World Record: Most hula hoops spun simultaneously
Marawa Ibrahim, an Australian performer, is no stranger to breaking records. She not only holds the title for spinning the most hula hoops at once, but this was her fourth time reclaiming the title! In fact, she has an impressive total of 12 world records to her name.
On November 25, 2015, while in Los Angeles, California, Ibrahim broke her own record by spinning 200 hula hoops simultaneously. Remarkably, three of the hoops were supported by her long middle fingernail, which provided the extra length needed to keep them spinning as her arms extended to the side. Beyond this, Ibrahim has also set records for the fastest mile hula hooping, the fastest 100-meter dash on high-heeled roller skates, and the longest time on high-heeled roller skates while spinning three hula hoops, among others.
Known by her stage name, Marawa the Amazing, she truly lives up to the title. Marawa holds a bachelor’s degree in circus arts from the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) in Australia, specializing in swinging trapeze. In addition to her circus career, she is an accomplished artist and the author of an inspiring book for young girls, The Girl Guide.
In 2012, Ibrahim founded a group of hoop enthusiasts called Marawa’s Majorettes, a fitness collective dedicated to teaching the art of hula hooping while spreading the joy of performance. The team has not only entertained but also set some impressive records. In 2017, they achieved two major milestones in London: first, they set the record for the most hula hoops spun simultaneously by a team with a total of 299 hoops, and then they followed it up by setting a new record for the most passes of a hula hoop by the feet in one minute, achieving 26 passes.
5. Do You Want BBQ Sauce with That?
World Record: World’s largest chicken nugget
This next record is a true testament to supersizing. On May 25, 2022, the duo of Nick DiGiovanni and Lynn Davis set a new world record for the largest chicken nugget in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The colossal nugget tipped the scales at an astonishing 46 pounds 3.34 ounces (20.96 kilograms), making it 115 times the size of a standard chicken nugget.
This isn’t their first time breaking records. Just months earlier, on November 23, 2021, DiGiovanni and Davis had set the record for the largest cake pop. Weighing in at 97 pounds 8.52 ounces (44.24 kilograms), the giant cake pop had a circumference of 50.75 inches (128.90 centimeters) and featured a 33-inch (83-centimeter) stick, all covered in white icing and sprinkled with five cups of sprinkles.
To create the enormous chicken nugget, the team gathered a unique mix of ingredients, including 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 combination was poured into a specially-designed container and coated with a mixture of beaten eggs and breadcrumbs, along with panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
Once the ingredients were combined, the nugget was carefully placed into a commercial oven where it was cooked until it reached the proper internal temperature, ensuring it was safe to consume. After cooking, the chicken nugget was weighed and examined by a Guinness World Records Adjudicator, confirming its place in history.
After the record-breaking nugget was complete, it was sliced up and shared among family, friends, and the filming crew for everyone to enjoy, making the feat even more memorable.
4. Bunny to the Hoop
World Record: Most basketball slam dunks in one minute by a rabbit
On Halloween of 2016, Bini the Bunny, from Long Beach, California, made history by setting the record for the most basketball slam dunks in one minute by a rabbit, achieving an impressive seven dunks. This Holland Lop bunny was trained by Shai Lighter and became a sensation, captivating millions with his extraordinary abilities and one-of-a-kind tricks.
Not only does Bini's basketball talent make him a worthy competitor against Bugs Bunny in the next Space Jam, but he is also the only bunny in the world who can paint, comb hair, and even play arcade games. His love for painting has led him to create over 300 pieces of artwork, which are sent all around the world to his devoted fans, known as 'Hoppers.'
Bini also keeps his followers updated on his exciting adventures through his social media channels, sharing glimpses into his remarkable life.
3. I Need More Hairspray!
World Record: Widest wig
The world record for the widest wig might just be one of the most unexpected entries on this list, but it has been broken more than once. Created by prop specialists Kelly Hanson and Randy Carfagno Productions, the massive blonde wig measured an impressive 7 feet 4 inches (2.23 meters) wide, surpassing the previous record holder's 5 feet (1.5 meters). The wig was also adorned with two red bows.
Actress Drew Barrymore wore this oversized wig on the set of The Tonight Show in New York on January 27, 2017. During the live show, she made an attempt to break three Guinness World Records in front of the audience. The first attempt was for most lipstick applications in 30 seconds, where she came close to the record. The second attempt, for most paper banners run through in 30 seconds, was unsuccessful.
Her final attempt was successful and verified by a Guinness World Records Adjudicator, who inspected the stage. The wig, custom-made for Barrymore’s record-breaking try, required four people to help place it on her head. After receiving her new title as the record holder for the widest wig, she wore it on set, graciously bowing to the audience.
2. Toga! Toga! Toga!
World Record: Largest toga party
On February 24, 2012, a toga party roughly 200 times larger than the one seen in Animal House shattered the world record for the largest toga party. Held at Riverstage in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, the event attracted 3,700 attendees. The celebration, organized by the University of Queensland Union (UQU) and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Guild, marked the conclusion of orientation week.
The previous record for the largest toga party, set over a decade earlier in Oregon, had 2,166 participants. However, UQU and QUT Guild were determined to break that record, overcoming even some rainy weather conditions that had party-goers entering the event drenched.
A group of organizers, with the help of a Guinness World Records Adjudicator, spent three hours placing numbered stickers on each participant to ensure a proper count. Unfortunately, the rain became too heavy, halting registration before it could be completed. Guinness World Records requires solid evidence to verify a count.
Had the registration been extended for the final hour, the total number would have undoubtedly been higher. Nevertheless, the record was successfully broken, and the crowd erupted in celebration as the official announcement was made. Fireworks illuminated the sky, even amidst the rain, as the revelers cheered with excitement.
1. What the… Toothpaste?
World Record: Largest collection of toothpaste tubes
It's no surprise that the largest collection of toothpaste tubes is owned by a dentist, Val Kolpakov, from Alpharetta, Georgia. When the record was set in 2012, his collection contained 2,037 unique tubes of toothpaste from across the globe. As of 2020, his collection has surpassed 3,000 tubes.
Val's collection includes toothpaste tubes from countries like Russia, China, Korea, India, and Japan. Originally, Kolpakov considered collecting teeth he extracted, but he quickly realized that collecting toothpaste tubes would be more interesting and, fortunately, less unpleasant. His expansive collection is partly showcased at his dental practice in Atlanta.
