Tallest humanIn 1918, the documented world record tallest human, Robert Pershing Wadlow, was born in Alton, Illinois. Shortly after graduating from high school, he was 8-ft 4-in (2.54m) tall. He grew to a final height, shortly before his death, of 8-ft 11.1-in (2.72m). This unique size was attributed to an over active pituary gland, which produced much higher than normal levels of growth hormone. Today's medical science can compensate for such problems, but in the 1920s there was no therapy available. He died on 15 Jul 1940, at age 22, from a fatal infection which set in due to a blister on his foot, despite emergency surgery and blood transfusions. At the time of his death he weighed 490 pounds. The 1,000-pound casket required a dozen pallbearers, assisted by eight other men.[Image: Wadlow with his brother, 1936] |
