The Guinness Book Of World Record Debuts In History Today, 27 August 1955

Kevin Fast pulls the plane with his body (Source: Guinness of Record)

JAKARTA - Today, 27 August 66 years ago or in 1955, The Guinness Book of Records published its first edition in the United Kingdom. The book quickly became very popular. This book, which is published annually, displays various achievements related to humans and animals.

Citing History, Friday 27 August, the inspiration for making this record book can be traced back to November 1951. At that time Sir Hugh Beaver, managing director of the Guinness Brewery, was on a hunting trip in Ireland. After failing to shoot a golden plover, members of his hunting group debated whether it was the fastest bird in Europe but couldn't find a book with the answer.

In 1954, given the arguments for the hunt, Sir Hugh had the idea for a world record book. He invited the twins Norris and Ross McWhirter to compile a book of facts and figures. Guinness Superlatives was founded on November 30, 1954.

After the initial research phase, work began on writing the book, which took 13 and a half hours each day, including weekends and public holidays. The McWhirter twins had no idea that their book would become the best-selling book of all time and one of the most recognized and trusted brands in the world.

The American edition of The Guinness Book of World Records debuted in 1956 and was soon followed by editions in a number of other countries. Norris and Ross McWhirter travel the world researching and verifying records. Ross McWhirter was involved in compiling the book until his death in 1975 at the hands of Irish Republican Army gunmen. His brother Norris, continued to be the editor of the book until 1986.

Not only interested in reading the book, many people are vying to enter his name in the record book. It felt very proud to have managed to break the record for something that only he in this world could do.

Plus, to break the record it doesn't have to do anything weird. Evidenced by several participants who broke the record for blowing the biggest bubble gum balloon in the world, playing the longest Rubik's Cube in the world, or eating the most food in the world. All groups can try it.

This phenomenon was observed by a psychologist at Trinity College Dublin, Ian Robertson. Robertson explained, participants who want to break the Guinness Book of World Records have the same motivation as athletes who have the motivation to win the championship.

Collection of The Guinness Book of World Records (Source: Screenshot of the official Guinness website of Records)

"The thing that motivates someone to win a game or an athletic performance is a similar mix of motivation to what you get in trivial matters like setting a weird record," said Ian Robertson, citing The Atlantic.

Human motivation can be sliced and cut into several categories, intrinsic versus extrinsic is one example. But one of the more well-known classifications is the “three needs” theory, which breaks down motivation into, three needs: for achievement, power, and belonging. With something like Guinness World Records, Robertson explains, the need for achievement can drive people to pursue success at something, regardless of skill.

“What you have is a burning motivation for achievement, and a person may not see the opportunity to satisfy that achievement in more conventional ways,” he explains.

In order to participate in the Guinness Book of World Records, the minimum age limit for participants is 16 years in a number of record categories and usually for records based on physique, danger or endurance. There are also other records that are considered unsuitable for people under the age of 16 to try.

If any participant is under the age of 16, the participant cannot apply for registration. The Guinness Book of Records recommends that participants meet the minimum age first.

According to the Guinness of Records website, there are more than 40,000 records currently. However, due to space limitations, the Guinness of Records can only publish about 4,000 records in the book each year. However if a record has not been selected for publication, there is always the possibility that it will be included in a future issue or it may appear on the official website.

Unique record

Rudy Hartono, Indonesian badminton athlete (Source: BWF Document)

Maybe breaking a record like making the world's largest pizza or something else that is numerical, could be "beaten" by someone else. But there are some records that are difficult to match.

The first is the heaviest load supported by the human tongue which is claimed by Thomas Blackthorne. He is able to withstand a weight of 12.5 kilograms with these boneless limbs.

Blackthorne trained for six years to hold this weight for five seconds. His tongue was pierced by a hook while bearing the weight. He broke the record in 2004 without leaving any injuries.

In addition there is Kevin Fast, the human who managed to pull the plane. Kevin Fast towed an 188.8 ton CC-177 Globemaster III aircraft 8.8 meters in 2009. Because of the difficulty of this feat, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to crack it any time soon.

If anyone attempted to do so, Fast assured people he could pull the plane even further if the finish line wasn't there. Kevin Fast again recorded the Guinness World Records title in 2020. He pulled a sleigh weighing 16,500 kg.

Even the Guinness Book of World Records also records the person who makes the most frequent lawsuits. He is Jonathan Lee Richards, who has sued more than 4,000 companies and individuals, and holds the world record for the largest number of lawsuits filed.

Richards once sued Bill Gates and Pope Benedict XVI. When he found out that he held the record, he sued Guinness.

The Indonesian people have also broken the Guinness of World Record. In 2018, the biggest Poco-Poco Dance was held. There were 52,121 participants and conducted by FOKBI in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (Kemenpora) in Jakarta.

In addition, there is the legendary Indonesian badminton athlete, Rudy Hartono. Rudy Hartono broke the world record for winning the most titles in the All England tournament, which was 8 times. His name was recorded in the Guinness World Records in 1982.

*Read other information about TODAY's HISTORY or read other interesting articles from Putri Ainur Islam.

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