The History of Guinness World Records

First thing's first. The Guinness Book of World Records is indeed the same Guinness of the popular Irish stout. The story goes that on 10th November 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver, the then managing director of the Guinness Brewery, was a member of a shooting party by the River Slaney in County Wexford, Ireland.

In between the shooting, he became involved in an argument about whether the golden plover or the grouse was the fastest game bird in Europe. That evening at Castlebridge House, he became frustrated that the reference books available to him could not confirm whether the grouse or the golden plover was the fastest.

Unable to find a conclusive answer, he decided that a reference book should be made to settle disputes like his which he suspected raged in pubs and bars across Britain and Ireland.

Convinced his idea would be popular, Beaver commissioned fact-finding student twins Norris and Ross McWhirter to compile what became the first 198-page edition of the Guinness Book of World Records. It was bound on 27 August 1955 and went to the top of the British best seller lists by Christmas. "It was a marketing give away - it wasn't supposed to be a money maker", said Beaver.

After the book became a surprise hit, many further editions were printed, eventually settling into a pattern of one revision a year, published in October to coincide with Christmas sales.

So there you are. Today Guinness World Records is a multi-million pound business which receives 1,000 record claims a week. As a result adjudicators are very selective and the vast majority of claims do not get recognised. For example, records have to be ‘based on a quantifiable element’ and ‘firsts’ are generally not considered as records ‘unless they have an international and lasting historical significance’ (such as walking on the Moon or climbing Everest). Similarly, no records are based on uniqueness.

Records which are considered to push human tolerance too far may not be considered and Guinness does not endorse any record attempts which involve any illegal activity.

Since 1991 any records involving the consumption of alcohol are not included so any pint-downing records you feel you may hold will never become official I’m afraid.

Needless to say, the checklist is extensive and getting your attempt approved seems to be a right kafuffle. All this will probably put off most potential record-breakers but if you are determined to get a mention in next year’s edition, apply online and have a go!

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