DES MOINES, Iowa — With the recent efforts in Cedar Rapids to set a Guinness World Record for the “Largest Inflatable Awareness Ribbon” and a Colfax man’s pencil collection being certified as the world’s largest, KCCI explored other world records set by Iowans.
A search of the Guinness database reveals dozens of records with Iowa connections, ranging from the mainstream to the obscure. For instance, an 1896 matchup between the University of Iowa and the University of Chicago is recognized as the first college basketball game. On the more unusual side, the record for the most tricks performed by a pig in one minute was set in 2018 by Joy the pig from Newton. Joy, now 11 years old, performed 13 tricks in one minute with the help of her owner, Dawn Bleeker. These tricks included honking a horn, toppling a bowling pin, and shaking hands.
Recent Records Set in Iowa
One of the most recent records set in Iowa is the largest cornhole tournament. Over 700 people gathered on the Grand Concourse at the 2022 Iowa State Fair to play cornhole, also known as bags.
Other Notable World Records from Iowa
Shortest Bull Ever: Humphrey the Zebu bull, owned by Joe and Michelle Gardner, measured just 67.6275 centimeters in 2018 at the Kalona Veterinary Clinic.
Largest Clog Dance: More than 2,600 people participated in a record-setting clog dance in 2010 during Pella’s Tulip Time.
Fastest Mile Joggling Backward with Three Objects (Male): Bob Evans, a juggling acrobat from Stanwood, set this “joggling” record in 2017 with a time of 6 minutes and 45 seconds.
Farthest Distance to Throw a Rolling Pin: Lori La Deane Adams threw a 2-pound rolling pin 175 feet, 5 inches at the 1979 Iowa State Fair.
Most Straws Crack-Whipped from the Mouth in One Minute: Whip artists April Choi and Bethany Byrnes crack-whipped 55 straws from the mouth in one minute during a 2017 event in Cedar Rapids.
Longest Natural Beard Locks Ever (Male): At the time of his death in 1927, Hans N. Langseth’s beard measured 17 feet, 6 inches. Langseth was born in Norway and immigrated to the U.S. in 1867, settling in Kensett, Iowa. His beard was removed before burial and given to the Smithsonian Institution in 1967, where it is occasionally displayed.
Most Sticky Notes Stuck on the Face in One Minute: Taylor Maurer of Sioux City set the record for most sticky notes stuck on the face in one minute (60) at her home in 2014, surpassing the previous record by two.
Tallest Living Dog: Kevin, a 4-year-old Great Dane from West Des Moines, was named the tallest living dog in 2024. Kevin stands over three feet tall, nearly a foot taller than the average male Great Dane.
History Behind Guinness World Records
The concept of collecting intriguing records was initiated by Sir Hugh Beaver in the 1950s while he was managing director of Guinness Brewery. The idea arose from a shooting party in Ireland, where a debate over Europe’s fastest game bird led Beaver to realize there was no quick way to resolve such disputes. He enlisted twins Norris and Ross McWhirter, fact-finding researchers, to compile a record book to settle bar arguments.
The first volume was published in 1955, and by 1964, it had sold a million copies. The franchise expanded to include a TV series and features a Hall of Fame. Notable inductees include Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man at 8 feet, 11.1 inches in 1940, and Lee Redmond, whose fingernails measured over 28 feet.
Guinness receives approximately 47,000 record inquiries from 178 countries annually, with around 8,000 being approved.
You Might Be Interested In:
