The Guinness Book of Records has become the definitive authority on world records, but its origins are as quirky as some of the records it documents. It all started with a barroom debate and a hunting party.

The Pub Argument That Started It All

In 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver, then the managing director of the Guinness Brewery, was on a hunting trip in Ireland when he got into an argument about which was the fastest game bird in Europe. No one could agree, and crucially, there was no reference book to settle the dispute. This gave Beaver an idea: a book that could resolve arguments once and for all.

A Record-Breaking Book is Born

Beaver enlisted twin brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter, who ran a fact-finding agency in London. They were tasked with compiling a book of facts and records that could be used to settle pub disputes. The first Guinness Book of Records was published in 1955 and became an instant bestseller.

Going Global

What started as a promotional giveaway for Guinness beer soon turned into a publishing phenomenon. By the 1960s, the book was a worldwide hit, selling millions of copies and regularly updating new records.

More Than Just a Book

The Guinness brand expanded beyond the book. Television shows, live record attempts, and even a Guinness World Records museum followed. Today, Guinness World Records certifies thousands of records worldwide, covering everything from the longest fingernails to the fastest land animal.

The Guinness Records Today

While the early editions were filled with factual and scientific records, modern editions feature incredible human feats, extreme sports, and bizarre records. Today, Guinness World Records receives over 50,000 record applications each year, but only a fraction make it into the book.