Throughout history, mankind has always been struck by numerous stories and legends about mythical giants, people, or deities that have reached incredible proportions. Although most of them are nothing more than legends, such as Goliath, the king of OG, or the titans. Some of these myths are based on real facts. There are many records of incredibly tall people who lived in the past. Although some are highly exaggerated, many still rely on solid evidence. Robert Pershing Wadlow, also known as the Elton giant, was the tallest man in human history.
Robert Wadlow: biography
An unusual person was born, like all other children, but later became famous throughout the world due to his unusual illness. Robert Pershing Wadlow was born, educated, and buried in Alton, Illinois. He is known as the tallest man in history, due to his growth in the Guinness Book of Records. At birth, Robert weighed 3.6 kg. He attracted attention when at six months his weight reached 30 kilograms. A year later, at 18 months, he weighed 62 kilograms. He continued to grow at an astonishingly fast pace, reaching 183 cm and 88 kg when he was eight years old.
His middle name, Pershing, he received in honor of a general who took part in the First World War. Robert was the first-born of his parents, Addie and Harold. Later, two sisters, Helen and Betty, and two brothers, Eugene and Harold Jr., appeared in the family. And all, except Robert, were of normal height and weight. Trying to lead a normal life, Robert enjoyed collecting stamps and photographs.
He managed to become the tallest boy scout in the world, having a height of 2.14 m at the age of 13. At 18, he reached 2.45 m in height and weighed 190 kilograms. Sewing his clothes required three times as much fabric, and his huge size boots cost about $ 100 a pair. When he was 20 years old, Robert was a representative of a shoe company, having visited more than 800 cities and 41 states. His father had to modify the family car by removing the front passenger seat so that Robert could comfortably sit in the back and stretch out his long legs. A team of father and son covered more than 300, 000 km during their goodwill tour for a shoe company. Robert was very fond of his mother, Addie, for which he received the nickname "gentle giant."
Unrealistic sizes
Robert Wadlow was born 02.22.1918 in the American city of Alton. According to the latest measurements (06/27/1940), it was found that the growth of this giant reached 2.72 meters. Death came to him on July 15, 1940 at a hotel in Manistee (Michigan). He died at the age of 22 as a result of a purulent infection on his right ankle. Its maximum registered weight was more than 222 kilograms, and at 21 years old its weight reached 199 kg. His shoe size was 37AA (47 cm), palm length was 32.4 cm. Robert wore a ring of the 25th size. The arm span reached 2.88 m, and its peak daily diet included about 8000 kilocalories. At the age of 9, this mighty and tall strong man could take up his father Harold Wadlow, whose height was 1.8 meters and weight 77 kilograms, and lift him up the stairs of his parents' house.
Abnormal hypertrophy
Robert Wadlow, whose growth not only reached huge, by human standards, sizes, but also continued to grow in adulthood, suffered from pituitary hypertrophy, which led to an abnormally high level of human growth hormone. The giant continued to grow until his death. Large dimensions negatively affected health: he was forced to walk on a cane, as his legs and feet hurt. Despite this, Robert Wadlow was never confined to a wheelchair. At one time, he was among the most popular American celebrities. He became widely known for his American tour with the Ringling Brothers Circus in 1936. He took part in various excursions and numerous public appearances.
Untimely death of a giant
On July 4, 1940, during his professional performance at the National Forest Festival, a poorly fixed bandage severely rubbed Robert's ankles, causing purulent blisters, which ultimately led to infection of the wounds. An urgent operation and a blood transfusion were carried out, but it was not possible to save him. His condition worsened, and on July 15, 1940, he died in his sleep. He was only 22. About 40, 000 people attended the funeral, which took place on July 19. He was buried in a coffin that weighed half a ton. It required 12 porters to carry it. Robert Wadlow, the tallest man in the world, was buried in a crypt made of cast concrete.
