Special Report

27 of the Most Unbelievable World Records Ever Set

There seems to be no end to the ways people come up with to make or break records. Many are athletic feats or they record extremes in the natural world. Others are downright weird, inspired by a personal obsession, or because nobody else has attempted it, or because of a simple question from a child. Some are so odd they remain records for decades simply because nobody else aspires to break them. All have one thing in common: They’re the product of a basic human desire to accomplish something unique, and to be recognized for that.

Ever since Sir Hugh Beaver set up an office in London in the 1950s to publish an annual list of world records, the Guinness Book of World Records has recorded seemingly countless feats — some by spirited individuals seeking small corners of fame, others by publicity-seeking organizations. The following is a small sample of thirty odd or unusual world records. Many records in general involve food and drink — these are 35 absolutely crazy food and drink world records.

Click here to learn about the strangest Guinness world records of all time

24/7 Tempo conducted online research and fact-checked media reports of unusual world records by checking the Guinness Book of World Records online archive. While characterizing a record as “weird” is a subjective effort, we feel these 30 records — some dating back to the early 1990s and others broken within the past couple of years — qualify as unusual.

Sponsored: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor

Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.