Guinness World Records started out in 1955 as The Guinness Book of World Records which is a reference book published annually that lists world records. They became so popular that they are now the primary international authority to catalog and verify world records. The idea for the concept came from Sir Hugh Beaver who was then the managing director of the Guinness Breweries. It has grown to an annual publication and is sold as a ‘coffee table’ type of book and as a collectible book, selling more than 100 million copies in 100 countries and 38 languages.
So far, there is only one podiatry-related world record listed. The record is the first recorded use of forensic gait analysis in court, by Hayden Kelly on 12 July 2000:
The first time that forensic gait analysis (the analysis of a person’s style of walking as a method of identification) has been admissible as evidence in criminal law occurred in the case of R- v – Saunders at The Old Bailey Central Criminal Court, London, UK on 12 July 2000. Consultant Podiatrist Haydn Kelly (UK) was able to identify jewellery thief John Saunders (UK) as the person attempting to rob a shop, from earlier police surveillance footage. Despite Saunders wearing two pairs of trousers, a mask and gloves, Mr Kelly was able to confirm that less than five per cent of the British population had walking mechanics similar to the suspected thief – evidence that helped end Saunder’s lucrative criminal career. John Saunders had led a series of robberies across Surrey, UK, and stolen goods worth £750,000 (then $1.13 million).
The current world record for the most number of consecutive basketball free throws is 5221 set by Ted St. Martin on 28 April 1996. The previous world record was set by the retired podiatrist, Tom Amberry with a total of 2750 in 1993 at the age of 71.
Sample of other notable entries include:
Highest percentage of women with bound feet:
The ancient practise of foot binding, which began in 10th Century China until it was banned in 1911, prevented women’s feet to grow more than 10 cm (3.9 in). A study in 1997 of 193 women (93 over 80 years old and 100 aged 70 -79) in Beijing, by the University of California, San Francisco, USA, found 38% of the women in the over 80 group and 18% in the 70’s group to have feet deformed by the practise of foot binding
Robert Wadlow (USA, 1918 – 1940), the tallest ever man, wore US size 37AA shoes (UK size 36 or approximately a European size 75), equivalent to 47cm (18½ in) long.
Fastest 100 metres in high heels (male):
The fastest 100 metres in high heels (male) is 14.02 seconds and was achieved by Andre Ortolf (Germany) in Augsburg, Germany, on 14 June 2019.
Largest collection of Converse shoes:
The largest collection of Converse shoes consists of 2,630 shoes, and was achieved by Joshua Mueller (USA) in Lakewood, Washington, USA, as verified on 30 July 2019.
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Other tidbits of Podiatry related trivia:
Ashiari Yashiki – the giant foot spirit
Did Tutankhamun have Clubfoot?
Feet of the Statue of Liberty
Forensic Podiatrist on ‘Bones’
Grave of President Lincoln’s Chiropodist
Happy Foot / Sad Foot Sign in Los Angeles
My Feet Are Killing Me
Quotes from the Bible on the Foot
Severed Feet on Vancouver Beaches
Shark Tank
The Death of the Greek Demigod, Achilles
The Feet of Celebrities
The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
The Gait of ‘Big Foot’
Podiatrists Appearing on the Survivor TV Show
Oedipus, the swollen foot
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