"The whole dream is that everybody has a world record in them," said Dan Rollman, president and co-founder of the Brooklyn-based Universal Record Database. Since the site went live last fall, more than 1,000 feats have been documented - ranging from the most binder clips on a face (now up to 34) to the longest toenail (seven-eighths of an inch) to the most whoopee cushions sat on without smiling or laughing (presently up to 18), and a few records involving mustaches (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Beyond the basics of setting records, the URDB is based on three principles: 1. Honesty and accuracy are pretty much everything, 2. Don't hurt yourself. Don't hurt others. Don't hurt the planet, and 3. Waste sucks. [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief on Jun 20, 2009 - 22 comments

Pianist, producer, and songwriter Gonzales (real name Jason Charles Beck) is currently attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest solo concert. He's aiming for 27 hours, and at time of writing has around six hours left to go. You can follow the attempt live online. [more inside]
posted by tapeguy on May 17, 2009 - 19 comments

Meet the World's Greatest Distance Zorber [what's zorbing?], some dude who put ten rattlesnakes in his mouth?, the rellepS drawkcaB tsetsaF s'dlroW, TheWorld'sFastestTalker, and a host of others who are the World's ____-est via the Guinness World Records podcast. [all links are in .mp3 format except to the main site.]
posted by not_on_display on Jul 18, 2008 - 4 comments

What is the air-speed velocity of the unladen golden plover? My goodness, my Guinness! Happy St. Patrick's Day, Metafilter.
posted by Miko on Mar 16, 2007 - 25 comments

“The name’s Power. Michael Power..."
posted by longbaugh on Nov 8, 2005 - 10 comments

noitulovE - Rewind the rhythm of life, find the purpose of evolution?
First link direct to Quicktime, second to lyrics, third to lauding press release
posted by nelleish on Oct 24, 2005 - 18 comments

As you're reading this, Grand Master Susan Polgar is on her way to breaking the Guinness World Record for playing simultaneous games of chess. She began at 10 a.m. today playing over 300 opponents. Going from board to board, by 5 p.m. she had already walked 5 miles. Polgar, with a fascinating backstory, broke the glass ceiling of male-dominated international chess in 1990 and cleared the way for her sister Judit, an even stronger player. As of early tonight, Susan had yet to lose a single game (she must win at lest 80% of them), but acknowledged that some players might get lucky: "At least I will make their day."
posted by soyjoy on Aug 1, 2005 - 20 comments

This is a really bizarre self promotion stunt. Garry Turner sent this in to "One Step Beyond" producer Claire Mandile in the hopes of being featured on the show. Garry's "resume" is in the Guinness book of world records as the man with the Stretchiest Skin.
posted by claus on Jul 5, 2005 - 19 comments

The Guinness Diet Challenge.
posted by srboisvert on Jun 4, 2005 - 18 comments

The Golden Era Missile Command Challenge! The Epic Battle of Billy Mitchell vs. Mr. Awesome (Roy Shildt), in which, Pac-Man Champion and renowned creator of Rickey's Chicken Wing Hot Sauce, Billy Mitchell, has his status as "Player of the Century" challenged by Missile Command record holder and arch-nemesis, Roy Shildt. Funspot Classic Games Message Board For World Record Holders CLOSED Because of too much airing out of dirty laundry. Below: Conversations With [Roy Shildt,] Guinness Book Missile Command Champion, who is always in hot water with Twin Galaxies due to his accusations and fight to stay on the scoreboard. He has apologized, even though Mitchell has moved on, insisting that "his passion for winning has abated somewhat, or at least shifted." ... "Now," he says, "I bring my passion to the sauce." Billy Mitchell never gives up." (Warning: Crazy site design and information overload! Be sure to scrooooooll down)
posted by mr.curmudgeon on Jun 3, 2005 - 11 comments

The 50 weirdest Guinness World Records
posted by bob sarabia on Sep 17, 2004 - 21 comments

Scientific proof that guiness bubbles really do fall, and it doesn't violate the laws of physics.
posted by Slightlynorth on Mar 17, 2004 - 18 comments

The tallest man on record was Roger Pershing Wadlow which I discovered after finding this curious photo. His 8'11.1" stature dwarfed Andre's mere 7'4" height. Both suffered from the rare pituitary disorder of gigantism or acromegaly. China has some really tall people including Defen Yao. If her height of 7"8.5" is accurate, it is more than an inch taller than Guinness record holder Sandy Allen. By comparison, the top 50 tallest basketball players provide some scale. (centimeter converter). Apparently, girls and giants are a popular combo.
posted by madamjujujive on Sep 26, 2003 - 20 comments

World's tallest rideable bicycle? On Canada Day, Brad Graham rode a 14 foot high bicycle without assistance for about 20 minutes. As the event is processed by Guinness, Brad's book on building your own bike will be published later this year, detailing his 20 years of building strange bikes and robots, amongst other vehicles and gadgets. This is not just a hobby done in his Thunder Bay garage; there are many other builders throughout Canada, although they may not test their vehicles using their own children.
posted by myopicman on Jul 8, 2003 - 10 comments

Good to see that 50 years of basic research in fulid dynamics, numerical methods, and finite element analysis has finally found a practical application.
posted by ZenMasterThis on Jun 20, 2003 - 19 comments

Guinness is Good for You: Find the poster of your birth year; of the year you had your first glass of Guinness; of the year you swore off the stuff. Try to find a way to link to one of them. Despair. Pour another pint. It's all good. [Flash req. "Argentina 1952" works for the login.]
posted by Carlos Quevedo on May 5, 2003 - 22 comments

I'd like to wish a happy St. Patricks Day to Irish readers, Irish-Americans, Irish-Britons, Irish-Australians, Irish-New Zealanders, and whoever is of Irish descent. And if you don't have Irish blood, go to the pub, drink some Guinness and you soon will!
posted by tomcosgrave on Mar 17, 2002 - 33 comments

Science brings the pub home. Have any Guinness faithful tried it yet? Verdict?
posted by Hugh2d2 on Dec 6, 2001 - 39 comments

The Fluid Dynamics of a Guinness Stout. Do the bubbles in a freshly poured Guinness go up or down? Answer: both.
posted by mathowie on Jan 12, 2000 - 0 comments