Officially, the tallest person, according to the Guinness Book of Records, was American Robert Wadlow. He was born in 1918. The American grew up throughout his short life.
A week before his death, he reached 272 centimeters.
Wadlow was the firstborn in the family. His younger brothers and sisters were of normal height. Robert's father only stood out a little from the rest. His height was 180 centimeters, which at the beginning of the twentieth century was considered above average.
For the first four years, Robert was no different from other children. Then he began to grow rapidly. All this is due to the disruption of the pituitary gland and the rapid development of growth hormone. At school, a special desk was created for him, and the boy scout's clothes had to be sewn to order.
After graduating from high school in his hometown of Alton, Illinois, he entered the university. Robert was planning to study law. But the Ringling brothers' traveling circus lured him away with a lucrative contract and the opportunity to travel.
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In addition, the American "Uncle Stepa" signed another successful agreement, becoming the face of the International Shoe Company. By the way, his leg has grown to 47 centimeters.
Wadlow managed to travel almost all of America. He visited more than forty states and eight hundred cities. From each trip, the guy came with a lot of gifts for his parents, as well as brothers and sisters.
According to the memoirs of contemporaries, Wadlow was very kind and pleasant to talk to. For this, Robert received the nickname "The Good Giant". And while visiting Minnesota, local Indians gave their name - "Tall Pine". Unfortunately, the life of the giant ended tragically.
In 1940 he was only 22 years old. One summer, he accidentally stepped on a brace that was placed in his shoes. Infection and blood poisoning began. Robert underwent blood transfusion surgery. But that didn't save the guy. Two weeks after the accident, he passed away in his sleep.
More than forty thousand people came to say goodbye to the giant. In memory of Wadlow's growth, the tombstone on his grave was made twice as high as the standard one.