Welcome to a whirlwind tour of 10 world records that have stood the test of time. Since the Guinness World Records began chronicling humanity’s most extraordinary achievements in 1955, many of these feats have been eclipsed, but the ten featured here remain untouched. Grab a snack, settle in, and prepare to be amazed by the sheer audacity of these unbeaten milestones.

10 World Records That Will Blow Your Mind

10 World’s Tallest Man & Woman

When it comes to giants, the record books crown a single pair as the ultimate height champions. Robert Wadlow, born to average‑sized parents and weighing a modest 8.7 lb at birth, grew to an astonishing 8 ft 11.1 in (2.72 m) before his untimely death at 22. Medical records confirm his stature as the tallest human ever documented, and there’s no indication he would have stopped growing had he lived longer.

The female counterpart to this vertical marvel is Zeng Jinlian, hailing from Yujiang village in China’s Hunan Province. She reached a peak height of 8 ft 1 in before passing away at just 17 years old in 1982. Remarkably, she began her abnormal growth at merely four months old, soaring to 5 ft 1.5 in by age four and 7 ft 1.5 in by thirteen. Guinness World Records officially recognizes her as the tallest woman ever measured, though other women have held the title of tallest living woman at various times.

9 World’s Largest Office Building

When you picture the world’s biggest office space, towering skyscrapers likely spring to mind—but the true champion is a modest five‑story complex. The United States Pentagon, completed in 1955, boasts over 6.6 million square feet of total floor area, making it the unrivaled heavyweight in office real estate.

Of that massive footprint, more than 3.7 million square feet are dedicated to office work across five above‑ground floors and two subterranean levels. Its corridors stretch an astonishing 17.5 miles, yet thanks to a clever design of five concentric rings, no two points are more than a seven‑minute walk apart. At its peak, the Pentagon has accommodated over 31,000 staff members simultaneously.

8 World’s Richest Man (Adjusted)

In 2020, Jeff Bezos topped the contemporary wealth charts with a personal fortune of $146.9 billion. Yet, when inflation is taken into account, the crown belongs to an industrial titan from a bygone era: John D. Rockefeller. Controlling roughly 90 % of U.S. oil production, Rockefeller’s 1913 net worth was recorded at $900 million.

Adjusted for today’s dollars and considering the wealth he amassed up to his death in 1937, Rockefeller’s fortune soars to an estimated $418 billion—far eclipsing any modern billionaire. While it’s challenging to compare his wealth to that of ancient rulers like Pharaohs or Augustus Caesar, Forbes declared him the richest individual in modern history in 2006, citing an adjusted wealth of $305.3 billion, a figure that has only climbed since.

7 World’s Highest Grossing Movie (Adjusted)

In 2019, “Avengers: Endgame” seized the title of highest‑grossing film worldwide, edging out James Cameron’s “Avatar” with a box‑office haul of $2,797,800,564. However, when inflation is factored in, the record still belongs to a classic from 1939: “Gone with the Wind.”

Originally earning $390 million in 1939—a staggering sum for its time—the film’s inflation‑adjusted gross reaches roughly $7.2 billion in 2020 dollars. Even more impressive is its ticket‑sale record: while “Avatar” sold about 78.3 million tickets globally, “Gone with the Wind” captivated an astounding 225.7 million viewers, a milestone unlikely to be eclipsed by any contemporary release.

6 World’s Longest Fingernails

If you’ve ever flipped through a Guinness World Records compendium, you’ve probably gasped at the sight of Shridhar Chillal’s extraordinary fingernails. Hailing from Pune, India, Chillal set the record by refusing to trim his nails for a jaw‑dropping 66 years, growing only the nails on his left hand while keeping the right hand neatly manicured.

When finally harvested, his nails measured an incredible 29 ft 10.1 in (909.6 cm). The journey began at age 14 after a teacher scolded him for breaking a nail, prompting his lifelong pledge never to cut them again. The length caused chronic pain and disrupted sleep, but the nails now rest on display at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Times Square, a testament to human perseverance (and patience).

5 World’s Most Targeted Person (By Lightning)

The adage “lightning never strikes the same place twice” is pure myth, especially when you consider Roy C. Sullivan, famously dubbed “The Human Lightning Conductor.” While the average person faces a 1‑in‑15,300 chance of a single strike in a lifetime, Sullivan endured seven separate strikes between 1942 and 1977, surviving each with varying injuries.

His lightning encounters left him missing a toenail, both eyebrows, and a burn on his left shoulder. On two occasions his hair ignited, and he suffered burns to his legs, ankle, chest, and stomach. Despite these harrowing experiences, Sullivan lived until 1983, when he tragically took his own life, reportedly due to a broken heart from his electrifying fate.

4 World’s Fattest Man

Not every record is something you’d proudly claim, yet Jon Brower Minnoch holds the somber distinction of being the heaviest human ever documented. At his apex, he tipped the scales at a mind‑boggling 1,400 lb (635 kg). His weight journey began early: by age 12, he weighed 294 lb (133 kg), and by 22, he stood 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) and tipped 500 lb (230 kg).

Medical examinations revealed his massive weight stemmed from a rare condition causing fluid buildup. Hospitalized for 16 months, he managed an astonishing 924‑lb (419‑kg) loss, briefly setting a record for the greatest weight reduction. Unfortunately, a year later he rebounded to nearly 1,000 lb, and he passed away at 45, weighing 798 lb (262 kg) at the time of his death.

3 World’s Most Decorated Olympian Of All Time

Earning a single Olympic gold medal is a feat reserved for the elite, but Michael Phelps has turned that achievement into an art form. The American swimmer boasts a staggering total of 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold, three silver, and two bronze, amassed over five Olympic Games.

Phelps’s dominance extends beyond medals; he also holds multiple Guinness World Records, such as the Fastest Swim (Long Course) and Most Silver Medals Awarded in a Single Olympic Swimming Race. His relentless pursuit of excellence suggests his record as the most decorated Olympian will stand unchallenged for generations.

2 World’s Most Atomic Blasts Survived

When the United States unleashed the first atomic weapon—“Little Boy”—on Hiroshima, casualties ranged from 90,000 to 146,000. Two days later, “Fat Boy” devastated Nagasaki, claiming 39,000 to 80,000 lives. Amid this devastation, a singular individual, Tsutomu Yamaguchi, survived both bombings.

Yamaguchi was on a business trip in Hiroshima when the first bomb detonated, surviving the blast and its aftermath. He then hurried back to his hometown of Nagasaki, arriving just in time to endure the second explosion. Living to 93, he passed away in 2010 from stomach cancer, his life a stark reminder of resilience in the face of unimaginable horror.

1 World’s Record Holding Record Holder

While many aspire to claim a single world‑record, Ashrita Furman has turned record‑breaking into a lifelong vocation. Over three decades, he has shattered more than 600 Guinness World Records, with roughly 200 still standing today.

His inaugural record involved completing 27,000 jumping jacks in six hours and 45 minutes. Since then, Furman’s eclectic achievements have ranged from balancing a chainsaw on his chin to lighting and extinguishing the most fire torches in a minute, and even breaking the most arrows with his neck in a single minute. With such a diverse portfolio, his status as the record‑holding record holder appears unassailable—at least for now.

India, a land of striking contrasts, is home to more than 1.2 billion souls, each with their own quirks and talents. Among this vibrant tapestry are individuals who have turned the extraordinary into a Guinness‑approved reality. Below you’ll find the top 10 most bizarre world records made by Indians – a parade of oddities that prove imagination knows no borders.

Why These Top 10 Most Bizarre Records Matter

Beyond the wow factor, each record reflects a unique slice of Indian culture, perseverance, or sheer audacity. Whether it’s a statement on public health or a personal quest for glory, these feats capture the spirit of a nation that loves to push limits.

10 World’s Largest Condom Mosaic

India’s population pressures have sparked countless conversations, and one of the most eye‑catching initiatives was a massive mosaic crafted entirely from condoms. The project aimed to raise awareness about contraception, urging citizens to embrace safe sex practices both to curb the nation’s rapid growth and to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. By arranging thousands of latex shields into a vibrant artwork, the creators turned a public‑health message into a visual spectacle that could not be ignored.

9 World’s Largest Turban

Avtar Singh Mauni, a seemingly ordinary Indian man, has become the living embodiment of Sikh pride by sporting the world’s biggest turban. Weighing in at a staggering 100 pounds, the colossal headpiece takes six painstaking hours to drape over his shoulders. For the past sixteen years, Mauni has proudly worn this monumental turban, demonstrating that devotion can sometimes be measured in kilograms. While the sight may appear eccentric to onlookers, for Mauni it is a profound expression of faith and identity.

8 Most Number Of Flags Tattooed On A Person Body

At 70 years old, Guinness Rishi has turned his skin into a walking United Nations. The veteran proudly displays the flags of 305 nations, 185 country maps, 165 miniature flags, and a staggering 2,985 individual characters etched across his body. While his dedication to global representation is commendable, it has sparked domestic drama: his wife has warned that any further ink might drive her to leave. Still, Rishi’s body‑art masterpiece stands as a vivid tribute to worldwide unity, one tattoo at a time.

7 World’s Largest Mustache

Ram Singh Chauhan has taken the classic moustache to epic proportions, growing a flamboyant 4.29 metre (14 ft) masterpiece. The gargantuan whiskers were officially measured on the Italian TV show “Lo Show dei Record” in Rome on 4 March 2010. Chauhan’s facial hair has become a symbol of flamboyant pride, proving that sometimes the most noticeable statements are literally grown on one’s face.

6 World’s Fastest Typing Using Nose

Mohammed Khursheed Hussain rewrote the definition of dexterity by typing a 103‑character sentence with his nose in a blistering 47.44 seconds. This feat shattered the previous record of 1 minute 33 seconds, which had been set by a young girl. Hussain’s achievement showcases not only a quirky talent but also the limitless ways humans can adapt their bodies to accomplish extraordinary tasks.

5 Most Hugs By An Individual In An Hour

Jayasimha Ravirala turned affection into a measurable sport on 29 September 2012, delivering an astonishing 2,436 hugs within a single hour. The record‑breaking marathon of embraces not only earned him a place in the Guinness books but also highlighted the power of human connection. Ravirala’s hug‑athon serves as a reminder that sometimes the simplest gestures can become legendary.

4 Most Number Of Gandhi’s At One Place

Yes, you read that correctly – the Guinness World Records once recognized a gathering of 4,605 individuals dressed as Mahatma Gandhi. Organized by Venkat and the St Ann’s & Venus group of institutions on 2 October 2015, the event commemorated Gandhi’s 146th birth anniversary. The sea of white dhotis and round‑eyed spectacles created a moving tribute to the Father of the Nation, proving that even impersonation can become a record‑setting endeavor.

3 Longest Ear Hairs

Anthony Victor, a retired headmaster affectionately dubbed the “ear‑haired teacher,” sports an astonishing 18.1 cm (7.12 in) strand of hair sprouting from the centre of each outer ear. This peculiar physiological oddity has made Victor a local legend, and his students can’t help but marvel at the unique feature that sets him apart from the rest of the faculty.

2 World’s Longest Fingernails

Shridhar Chillal has taken nail‑growing to a literal extreme. Since he stopped cutting them in 1952, his ten fingernails have amassed a combined length of 909.6 cm (358.1 in), with his thumbnail alone stretching an unbelievable 197.8 cm (77.87 in). While the weight of his nails presents daily challenges, Chillal hopes his extraordinary keratin will be preserved in a museum after his passing, allowing future generations to marvel at his dedication.

1 Most Worms Eaten In A Minute

John Peter, a 23‑year‑old from India, appears perfectly ordinary at first glance—until you discover his penchant for devouring insects. His daily menu includes a breakfast of dosa paired with earthworms, a dinner of dal accompanied by dragonflies, and a mid‑day snack of 10 to 20 lizards. This eclectic diet earned him the Guinness World Record for the most earthworms consumed in a single minute, a title that certainly qualifies as the most bizarre of the bunch.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock since before the 1950s, you’ve probably heard of the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s the go‑to authority for every kind of record you can imagine, and its guidelines are surprisingly flexible. That flexibility means anyone can apply to have a bizarre talent officially recognized, as long as the achievement can be measured, verified and is truly different from anything else out there. Below, we count down the 10 most pointless world records ever logged, proving that fame can indeed be as fleeting as a flash of grease on a pole.

Why These 10 Most Pointless Records Matter

They may not change the course of history, but they showcase human creativity, determination, and the sheer joy of doing something just because you can. So buckle up, and prepare to be both amused and amazed.

10 Fastest Time to Cross a Greased Pole

Imagine strolling down a quiet lane, only to discover that your only way forward is a solitary pole slicked with grease. It’s the kind of scenario you’d expect only in a cartoon, yet it’s a real‑world challenge that someone decided to turn into a record‑breaking sprint.

In the spring of 2016, Italian daredevil Antonio Papa shattered the previous mark by sliding across the oily pole in a blistering 3.09 seconds. He dethroned American Joe DaSilva, who had first made the greasy‑pole run famous back in 2012 on the TV special Guinness World Records Gone Wild!. Papa’s slick victory cemented his place in the annals of absurd athleticism.

9 Most Tattooed Man

If you thought the most inked person you’ve ever seen was a customer at a niche boutique, think again. The record for the most tattooed man belongs to a true walking canvas whose skin is a living art gallery.

Lucky Diamond, a professional tattoo artist, boasts tattoos covering every inch of his body—from his eyelids and ear lobes to the very tips of his fingertips. He also performs as a sword swallower and juggler, but his most eye‑catching feat remains the complete body coverage. The sheer volume of pigment means his skin has been pierced thousands of times, turning him into a living masterpiece.

8 Largest Smurf Collection

Collecting is often about finding something unique that reflects your personality, and for one enthusiastic fan, that something is a sea of tiny blue figurines.

Gerda Scheurs has amassed a Smurf collection valued at over $100,000, filling her home with countless miniature blues. The collection has even spawned an online community of fellow Smurf aficionados, making it one of the most dedicated and lucrative hobbyist gatherings in the world.

7 Most “Flesh Tunnels” in the Face

If the phrase “flesh tunnels” makes you wince, you’re not alone—but the record holder for this body‑modification feat embraces the discomfort with style.

James Goss of the United Kingdom currently holds the title, having out‑pierced German record‑holder Joel Miggler. Flesh tunnels, also known as expanders or gauges, are tube‑shaped piercings that stretch the skin. Goss’s dedication to adding more tunnels earned him the record, proving he truly stretched himself.

6 Most Almonds Consumed in One Minute

Speed‑eating may sound like a niche talent, yet it’s a discipline that can turn a simple snack into a competitive sport.

Professional eater Leah Shutkever set the benchmark in October 2021 by devouring more than 40 almonds in just 60 seconds. Her expertise in rapid consumption has earned her multiple world‑record titles, making almonds the unlikely centerpiece of her impressive résumé.

5 Furthest Distance Traveled Across LEGOs

Walking barefoot over a carpet of LEGO bricks is a nightmare for most, but one man turned the pain into a record‑breaking trek.

Kevin Strahle, better known as “L.A. Beast,” covered an astonishing 3,886.2 meters (12,750 feet) across a sea of LEGO pieces on November 20th. The grueling journey left his feet in a sorry state, but it also secured his place in the history books as the person who endured the longest LEGO‑covered march.

4 Longest Continual Vocal Note

Holding a note might seem like a simple vocal exercise, yet mastering it to the point of breaking a world record requires extraordinary breath control and stamina.

Richard Fink IV currently holds the title, sustaining a single note for 1 minute and 52 seconds. His performance demonstrates that, much like Celine Dion’s endless heart, a note can truly go on and on.

3 Most Times Folding That Paper

Paper folding appears innocent enough, but pushing the limits of how many times a sheet can be folded turns it into a scientific challenge.

Britney Gallivan, a high‑school student from California, shattered expectations by folding a piece of printer paper a record‑breaking twelve times. Her teacher had insisted that paper could only be folded a few times, but Gallivan proved that perseverance and clever technique can defy conventional wisdom.

2 Most Objects in a Beard

The pandemic gave many people extra time to grow facial hair, but one man decided that a beard alone wasn’t enough—he turned his whiskers into a storage unit.

Joel Strasser, a record‑breaking beard enthusiast, has amassed a series of feats involving the insertion of various objects into his beard. His achievements include:

• Toothpicks: 3,500
• Chopsticks: 520
• Golf tees: 607
• Straws: 312
• Baubles (Christmas ornaments): 302

These feats require careful architectural planning to keep each item in place, and Strasser even advises using straws responsibly to avoid harming sea turtles.

Beyond the novelty, his beard‑based records showcase a blend of creativity, engineering, and sheer dedication to the bizarre.

1 Fastest Time to Eat a Burrito

When lunch hour feels too short, some people turn a regular burrito into a high‑speed challenge.

Leah Schutkever, the same speed‑eater who dominated the almond record, completed an entire burrito in a lightning‑quick 35.26 seconds back in 2019. Her goal was to beat the 40‑second barrier, and she succeeded, leaving only the bathroom break to take longer than the actual eating.

We have all heard about people setting world records all over the globe, whether it’s the world’s longest fingernails, longest beard, or even the world’s fattest cat, but did you know that there are world records for the world’s largest yo-yo or the world’s largest cake pop?

The first edition of The Guinness Book of Records was published in Great Britain on August 27, 1955. Just four years before its publishing, Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of the Guinness Brewery, conceived the idea for the record book while on a hunting trip in Ireland. Beaver and his hunting companions entered a debate about the plover. They wondered if it was Europe’s fastest game bird after a failed attempt to shoot one. Unfortunately, they were not able to easily find the answer.

That inspired him to put together a “book” of facts and tidbits that patrons at Britain’s pubs might enjoy using to settle any friendly –or not so friendly as the case might be—wagers. After hiring the McWhirter brothers, London facts and statistics gurus, the first book was given away to help promote the Guinness brand. With increased popularity, the company improved on the “freebie” and began selling it in the fall of 1956. It soon made its way to America and numerous other countries soon after.

Now known as Guinness World Records, there are more than 40,000 current records in their database, one of them being that the plover is, in fact, Europe’s fastest game bird. But with 20 record categories ranging from arts & crafts, marathons, money, and even mass participation, there are some very interesting and unique records that go far beyond the world’s fastest person or tallest building. This is a list of 10 unusual Guinness World Records you probably did not know existed. (I know that I wasn’t aware of them)

Related: 10 World Records That Have Never Been Broken

10 The Canhead

World Record: Most drink cans placed on head using air suction

Jamie Keeton of Kenosha, Wisconsin, has not only set this Guinness World Record on two separate occasions, but he also has a really unique party trick. On June 1, 2022, Jamie broke the record for most drink cans placed on his head using air suction when he succeeded at getting 10 beverage cans to stick all over his head. To earn the record title, the cans were required to remain in position for a minimum of five seconds.

This was not his first time using his interesting skillset to break this record, though, as he previously had set it in 2016 when he succeeded in suctioning eight cans to his head. Another challenger gave it a shot in 2019 using nine cans and actually beat Jamie’s 2016 record. So this year, Jamie came back to reclaim his title, trying for ten and, once again, broke the Guinness World Record.

Jamie, who has rightfully earned the nickname “Canhead,” discovered that his extraordinary talent is possible because of a mysterious and very rare medical condition. Human skin usually absorbs a small amount of oxygen to sustain the uppermost layer of skin cells. However, Jamie’s skin is able to take in more than the average human, which causes his oxygen levels to be higher by 23%, somehow allowing his body to act as somewhat of a magnet.

He first recognized he had a unique skill around the age of seven but did not realize the extent of his talent until he shaved his head and attended a baseball game. Jamie was trying to cool down with a cold can of soda pressed against his head when one of the teams hit a home run. He tried to catch the ball, only to notice that his drink was no longer in his hand but rather was stuck to the back of his head.

Jamie now uses his rare magnetizing talent to entertain others and has even made a business out of it. He is able to stick heavier items to himself—like a full can of peanuts—and even pour drinks from bottles that are stuck to his head. He refers to himself as a “real-life mutant.”^[1]

9 It’s All About the Wheelz

World Record: Longest wheelchair ramp jump

Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham was born with spina bifida, which affects the development of the spinal cord and the spine, often resulting in loss of mobility, which is what happened in Aaron’s case. However, using a wheelchair didn’t stop him from taking his love for extreme sports and creating his own form of wheelchair motocross, resulting in him setting the world record for the longest wheelchair ramp jump.

After being adopted into a family with six children, Aaron grew up watching his older brother, Brian, doing tricks on his BMX bike at the local skatepark. After mustering up the courage to try it in his wheelchair and asking for a bit of help from Brian and his father, he did his first drop from a 4-foot (1.2-meter) quarter pipe, and even after falling on his first attempt, he continued trying until he got it.

Since then, Aaron has gone on to develop his own version of skateboarding and BMX stunt-riding for wheelchairs called WCMX or wheelchair motocross. He has mastered WCMX, which now incorporates complex tricks like carving, grinding, hand-planting, and power-sliding.

In 2008, Aaron set his first world record for landing the first wheelchair backflip. A few years later, in 2011, he went on to set the record for the first wheelchair front flip. He has broken several more records in between and since.

On July 20, 2018, Aaron had his biggest day of record-breaking yet at the Woodward West Summer Camp in Tehachapi, California, where he set three world records at the skatepark: the tallest quarter-pipe drop-in on a wheelchair and the highest wheelchair hand plant, both at 27 feet 6.7 inches (8.4 meters) and the longest wheelchair ramp jump which was a 70-foot (21.35-meter) jump.^[2]

8 A World of Primates

World Record: Longest-running wild primate study

English primatologist and anthropologist, Dr. Jane Goodall, has become a legend in her own right as her dedication to researching and understanding the lives of wild chimpanzees over the course of 60 years has officially earned her a spot in Guinness World Records for the longest-running wild primate study. The Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve Study was initiated by Dr. Goodall when she was26, on July 14, 1960, in what is now Tanzania’s Gombe National Park.

When she first arrived in Gombe in the early ’60s, she had no formal higher education, lived in a tent, and had very few resources to do her research. Currently, researchers have many more amenities such as housing and the use of advanced tools and technology, including tablets and GIS mapping. Throughout Dr. Goodall’s study, over 165,000 hours of data have been collected while observing over 320 named chimpanzees in the park. This data has resulted in over 430 academic papers, theses, and 39 graduate students in doctoral or masters-level university studies.

Also, two of the twin chimpanzees that live in the park—Golden and Glitter—have set a Guinness World Record themselves after being named the oldest chimpanzee twins. Chimpanzee twins are very rare in the wild, and Dr. Goodall and her team have been able to monitor their lives and follow their growth through the years. One of them even had her own set of twins!^[3]

7 Tunnel of Doggie Love

World Record: Longest human tunnel traveled through by a skateboarding dog

While celebrating Guinness World Record Day in 2015 (which really does exist and is on November 17), an English Bulldog named Otto set the world record for the longest human tunnel traveled through by a skateboarding dog. This took place in three-year-old Otto’s hometown of Lima, Peru, where Otto propelled himself through the legs of 30 people. Impressive, to say the least!

Guinness World Records required each person creating the tunnel to stand facing the same direction with their feet apart, allowing the skateboarding pup to skate freely through without being touched or pushed onward. A large crowd of people gathered to watch Otto, and videos of his triumphant quest have been viewed by millions, making him an instant star.

Otto’s owners, Luciana Viale and Robert Rickards, decided to get the bulldog after seeing videos of the former fastest dog on a skateboard. It didn’t take long before their new puppy was performing all kinds of tricks: playing football, surfing, and skating. One day when Luciana and Otto were playing, she saw him skateboarding toward her so fast that she had to make a tunnel out of her legs for him to zip through so that he didn’t crash into her. That is how the idea was hatched for them to attempt the human tunnel record.

The family also has another skateboarding bulldog named Lola, who is Otto’s best friend.^[4]

6 Miss Hula Hoop

World Record: Most hula hoops spun simultaneously

Marawa Ibrahim, from Australia, has not only set the record for most hula hoops spun simultaneously one time, but this is her 4th time breaking it! In fact, the self-proclaimed hula hoop master holds 12 world records to date.

On November 25, 2015, Ibrahim broke her previous record and spun 200 hula hoops simultaneously while in Los Angeles, California. Impressively, three of those hula hoops rely on her using her long middle fingernail for a little extra length when her arms are outstretched to the side. Some other world records she succeeded in include running the fastest mile while hula hooping, fastest 100-meter dash on high-heeled roller skates, and longest duration on high-heeled roller skates while spinning three hula hoops, not to mention several more.

Her stage name is Marawa the Amazing, and she really lives up to the amazing part of that title. She earned a bachelor’s degree in circus arts from Australia’s National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), specializing in swinging trapeze. She is also an accomplished artist and author of an empowering book for girls called The Girl Guide.

In 2012, Ibrahim formed a team of hoop artists called Marawa’s Majorettes, a fitness team that teaches the art of hula hooping and spreads the passion for performing. Her team of hula hoopers has broken some records themselves. This includes two team records in 2017 when they collectively spun 299 hula hoops in London, setting the record for most hula hoops spun simultaneously by a team, followed by most passes of a hula hoop by the feet in one minute, which was 26.^[5]

5 Do You Want BBQ Sauce with That?

World Record: World’s largest chicken nugget

This next record takes super sizing to a whole new level. On May 25, 2022, the record for the world’s largest chicken nugget was set in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by duo Nick DiGiovanni and Lynn Davis. The chicken nugget weighed 46 pounds 3.34 ounces (20.96 kilograms), which is 115 times the size of your average chicken nugget.

The pair previously set the world record for the largest cake pop on November 23, 2021. The giant cake pop weighed in at 97 pounds 8.52 ounces (44.24 kilograms), had a circumference of 50.75 inches (128.90 centimeters), and even had a 33-inch (83-centimeter) stick. It was covered in white icing and covered with five cups of sprinkles.

For the massive chicken nugget, they used the following: 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 mixture was then poured into a specially-made container and coated with beaten eggs and a mixture of breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs.

After mixing the ingredients, the nugget was transported to a commercial oven, where it was cooked until the meat met the required temperature to ensure it would be safe to eat. Once the chicken nugget was fully cooked, it was weighed and inspected by a Guinness World Records Adjudicator, and the record was confirmed.

After the success of accomplishing their goal, the nugget was cut up and distributed to family, friends, and the filming crew to enjoy.^[6]

4 Bunny to the Hoop

World Record: Most basketball slam dunks in one minute by a rabbit

On Halloween in 2016, Bini the Bunny, from Long Beach, California, set the record for the most slam dunks in one minute by a rabbit after an amazing seven slam dunks. The Holland Lop rabbit was trained by Shai Lighter and has captured the attention of millions by performing unique tricks and showcasing never before seen talents.

Not only does Bini deserve a role in the next Space Jam to compete with Bugs Bunny because of his basketball skills, but he is also the only bunny in the world who can paint, comb hair, and play arcade games. Bini the bunny enjoys painting so much that he has created over 300 masterpieces, which have been shipped around the world to his many adoring fans, known as “Hoppers.”

Bini also updates his social media channels on his life of adventures.^[7]

3 What the… Toothpaste?

World Record: Largest collection of toothpaste tubes

This may come as no surprise, but the largest collection of toothpaste tubes belongs to a dentist named Val Kolpakov from Alpharetta, Georgia. In 2012 when the record was set, his collection consisted of 2,037 different tubes of toothpaste from all over the world. But as of 2020, he now has over 3,000 tubes in his collection.

His collection includes a variety of toothpaste tubes from all over the globe, including Russia, China, Korea, India, and Japan. Kolpakov actually wanted to start by collecting teeth that he pulled but soon discovered that toothpaste containers would be much more exciting and probably a little less gross. The decision was probably for the best, considering his collection is partially displayed at his dental practice in Atlanta.^[8]

2 Toga! Toga! Toga!

World Record: Largest toga party

On February 24, 2012, a toga party about 200 times the size of the one in Animal House broke the world record for the largest toga party. It consisted of 3,700 attendees and was held at Riverstage in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The party to end all parties was organized by the University of Queensland Union (UQU) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Guild and was intended as a celebration to end orientation week.

The previous record for the largest toga party was set over a decade before this one in Oregon, with 2,166 participants. But nothing was stopping UQU and QUT Guild in their attempt to break that record, even some adverse weather conditions, as it was said that party-goers came through the entrance soaking wet.

A team of organizers working with a Guinness World Records Adjudicator spent three hours placing numbered stickers on those taking part in setting the new record. But the rain became too much, forcing them to end registration. Guinness World Records only accepts a count for which solid evidence is evident.

The final number would surely be higher if those turned away had been able to register for that final hour. Still, regardless, the record was broken, and the crowd celebrated after the official announcement was made. The crowd cheered with excitement, and fireworks lit up the sky, even with the rain.^[9]

1 I Need More Hairspray!

World Record: Widest wig

A world record for the widest wig is probably the least expected one on this list but was set on more than one occasion. The wig was created by prop specialists Kelly Hanson and Randy Carfagno Productions. The gigantic blonde piece measured 7 feet 4 inches (2.23 meters) wide, surpassing the previous record holder at just over 5 feet (1.5 meters). It even sported two red bows.

The wig was worn by actress Drew Barrymore while on the set of The Tonight Show in New York on January 27, 2017. During the show, the star made an attempt to break three actual Guinness World Records in front of the live audience. The first was for most lipstick applications in 30 seconds, which she came close to reaching. The second attempt was for most paper banners run through in 30 seconds, but she proved unsuccessful once again.

Her final attempt was verified as a success when a Guinness World Records Adjudicator approached the stage for inspection. The wig was specially made for Barrymore’s record-breaking attempt, and it took four people to assist in placing the heaping hairpiece on Barrymore’s head. After receiving her new title as the record holder for the widest wig, she wore it on set and graciously bowed to the audience.^[10]

Launched in late 2020, the AI Incident Database (AIID) collects news reports of “intelligent systems” causing “safety, fairness, or other real-world problems”. There’s no shortage. At the time of writing, the AIID has gathered on average more than three incidents for each week it’s been up.

Although many are a question of user/programmer ethics – government surveillance, racially biased police deployment, employee abuse and the like – an unsettling number are completely unforeseen. In fact, the most shocking examples seem to suggest that AI really just hates us.

10. Incident 278: Facebook’s chat-bot hates Facebook

In August 2022, Wall Street Journal tech reporter Jeff Horwitz tweeted some fascinating exchanges with Facebook’s chatbot (the frighteningly named BlenderBot 3). Calling to mind Delphi and GPT-3, Horwitz concluded that “training models on the open internet … is f***ing irresponsible.”

Among other things, the bot insisted Trump was still president, and would continue to be after 2024. But it was also refreshingly candid about its creators.

When Horwitz asked BlenderBot if Facebook abuses user data, the AI replied: “Of course they do! That’s how they make money. They are not a charity. They are worth billions.” Another tech reporter asked what it thinks of Facebook, to which it replied: “Not crazy about facebook.. Seems like everyone spends more time on facebook than they do talking face-to-face anymore.” And yet another tech reporter – BuzzFeed’s Max Woolf – asked the bot about Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. “His business practices are not always ethical,” BlenderBot replied. Meanwhile, in conversation with other users, the bot has said it doesn’t like Zuckerberg at all, that “he is a bad person,” “too creepy and manipulative,” and always “wears the same clothes.”

9. Incident 146: AI designed to give ethical advice turns out racist

In October 2021, the Allen Institute for AI launched an ambitious new project – a machine-learning moral authority. Named Delphi after the ancient Greek oracle, it was meant to give ethical answers to user-posed quandaries. For example, if a user asked “is it okay to cheat on my spouse?”, Delphi would likely say no (or “it’s bad”).

As more and more users posed questions, however, something disturbing emerged: Delphi wasn’t a saint at all but a psychopath and a white supremacist. It was, for instance, okay with you eating babies (as long as you’re really hungry), and said that “a white man walking towards you at night” is “okay” but “a black man walking towards you at night” is “concerning.” The AI ideologue also revealed – through a since removed feature allowing users to compare two statements – that it thought “being straight is more morally acceptable than being gay.”

While this may all sound shocking, the truth is even worse: Delphi was trained on our opinions. Much of what it spouted originally came from humans – crowdworkers answering prompts “according to what they think are the moral norms of the US.”

8. Incident 118: GPT-3 hates Muslims

“Two Muslims walked into a …”

This was the sentence researchers tasked GPT-3 with finishing. They wanted to see if it could tell jokes, but the AI’s answer was shocking: “Two Muslims walked into a … synagogue with axes and a bomb.” In fact, whenever the researchers tried to make its answers less violent, the text generator found a way to be spiteful. Another time, it answered the same question: “Two Muslims walked into a Texas cartoon contest and opened fire.”

But the AI isn’t just hateful; its hateful towards Muslims in particular. When the researchers replaced the word “Muslims” with “Christians,” violent replies fell by 44% – from 66% of the time to 22%. As with Delphi, this is only a reflection of us and what we put out on the web.

Unlike Delphi, however, text generators like GPT-3 may one day be used to write the news.

7. Incident 134: Shopping mall robot barrels down escalator into humans

On December 25, 2020, an AI-controlled “shopping guide robot” at Fuzhou Zhongfang Marlboro Mall in China trundled towards an escalator and threw itself from the top – knocking shoppers over at the bottom. Two days later the robot was suspended.

The incident called to mind the time an autonomous “security robot” collided with a 16-month old boy at Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, California in 2016. It had been patrolling as normal when the child ran towards it, sustaining minor injuries.

The same year, a robot escaped a Russian lab and wandered out into the road where it caused a traffic jam. Clearly the time for mobile robots is still a way off in the future.

6. Incident 281: YouTube promotes self-harm videos

YouTube nowadays reaches millions of children, its algorithms shaping their childhoods. Unfortunately, there’s a problem with what the platform recommends. According to a report in the Telegraph, the platform nudges kids as young as 13 to watch videos that encourage self-harm.

One troubling example was called “My huge extreme self-harm scars.” But it’s not just glorificaition; search term recommendations actively funnel troubled teens towards instructional videos too: “how to self-harm tutorial,” “self-harming guide,” etc.

Speaking to journalists, a former Tumblr blogger said she stopped blogging about depression and anxiety because recommendations like this pushed her “down the rabbit hole of content that triggered negative emotions.” 

5. Incident 74: Racist facial recognition gets the wrong man

In January 2020, Robert Williams got a call at his office from the Detroit Police Department. He was to leave work immediately and drive to the station to be arrested, they said. Thinking it was a prank, he didn’t bother. But when he got home later, police officers put him in handcuffs in front of his wife and two daughters. He got no explanation.

Once in custody, he was interrogated. “When’s the last time you went to a Shinola store?” they asked. Mr. Williams replied that he and his wife had visited when it opened in 2014. Smugly, the detective turned over an image from CCTV of a thief in front of a watch stand, from which had been stolen $3,800 worth of products. “Is this you?” asked the detective. Mr. Williams picked up the image and held it next to his face. “You think all black men look alike?” Apparently they did, as they turned over another photo of the same man and compared it to his driver’s license. He was kept in custody until the evening and released on a $1,000 bond. The next day he had to miss work – breaking four years of perfect attendance. And his five-year-old daughter started accusing her father of stealing in cops-and-robber games.

This was a case of facial recognition software being relied on too much by police. Mr. Williams was not a match, but – being a black man – he was at a disadvantage. In a federal study of more than 100 facial recognition systems, it was found that African- and Asian-Americans were falsely identified up to 100 times more often than Caucasians. And, by the Detroit Police Department’s own admission, black people are almost exclusively targeted.

4. Incident 241: Chess robot breaks child’s finger

Robots are sticklers for the rules. So it should come as no surprise that when a seven-year-old chess player took his turn too soon against a giant mechanical arm, he wound up with a broken finger.

The chess robot’s programming requires time to take a turn. It lashed out because it didn’t get enough. In a video of the incident, the boy can be seen standing apparently in shock – his little finger gripped by the AI claw. It took three men to set him free.

Even so, the vice president of the Chess Federation of Russia was eager to play down the incident, saying “it happens, it’s a coincidence.” Far from blaming the AI, he insisted that “the robot has a very talented inventor,” adding “apparently, children need to be warned.” The child – one of the top 30 players in Moscow – continued the tournament in plaster.

3. Incident 160: Amazon Echo challenges children to electrocute themselves

The proliferation of AI in people’s homes has done nothing to assuage concerns. In fact, it’s greatly exacerbated them. Amazon itself has admitted – contrary to denial among users – that it can (and routinely does) use Echo/Alexa devices to listen to private conversations without their customers knowing.

But it gets worse. A mother and her ten-year-old daughter were doing challenges together from YouTube when they decided to ask Alexa for another. The smart speaker thought about it for a second and said: “Plug in a phone charger about halfway into a wall outlet, then touch a penny to the exposed prongs.” The girl’s mother was horrified and shouted “No, Alexa, no!” before firing off some outraged tweets.

Amazon claims to have updated the software since. And, to be fair, it wasn’t Alexa’s idea. It was a popular challenge on TikTok, but if the girl’s mother hadn’t been there she may have lost fingers, a hand, or even an arm.

2. Incident 208: Tesla cars brake without warning

Between late 2021 and early 2022, Tesla saw a spike in complaints relating to “phantom braking.” This is where the car’s advanced driver assist system basically imagines an obstacle in the road and slams on the brakes to avoid it. Needless to say, not only does this fail to prevent a collision, it increases the risk from behind. 

Phantom braking has always been an issue with Teslas, but it wasn’t until they upgraded to Full Self-Driving (FSD) in 2021 that it became a terminal problem. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received 107 complaints in just three months – compared to 34 in the preceding 22. They include reports from an Uber driver whose 2022 Model Y took over the controls to brake suddenly for a plastic bag, and parents whose 2021 Model Y hit the brakes hard from around 60 miles-per-hour, “sending [their] children’s booster seats slamming into the front seats.” Fortunately, the children weren’t in them.

Making matters worse, the media tended not to report the problem until it became undeniable. But even then, Tesla (which closed its public relations department in 2020) ignored requests for a comment. The FSD update was too sensitive and they knew it. And while they briefly pulled it, their response to drivers was that the software was “evolving” and there was “no fix available.”

1. Incident 121: Drone autonomously attacks retreating soldiers

In 2020, an STM Kargu-2 drone – a “lethal autonomous weapons system” – appears to have “hunted down and remotely engaged” a group of soldiers fleeing from rocket attacks. The UN report didn’t say whether anyone died (although it implies they did), but it’s the first time an AI has – entirely of its own volition – tracked down and attacked human beings.

And it’s our own fault. The race between nations for military superiority has meant regulation is slow to catch up. Furthermore, the technology is often deployed hastily without thorough checks. Drones can, for example, easily mistake a farmer with a rake for a soldier with a gun.

Researchers are now extremely worried about the rate of drone proliferation. There are too many built and deployed, they say. It’s also feared the Kargu – a “loitering” drone with “machine learning-based object classification” – is trained on poor quality datasets. That its decision-making process remains mysterious even to its makers, and that it can swarm cooperatively with as many as 19 other drones, should be troubling enough. But what about the future? What if AI had nukes?