The Tallest Man History

The tallest man in recorded history was Robert Wadlow, who reached the astounding height of 8 feet 11 inches, a record that has yet to be beaten. Born Robert Pershing Wadlow on Feb. 22, 1918, in Alton, Ill. He was not only the tallest person in the world, but in many ways he seemed larger than life itself , as he grappled with a condition that turned him into a medical wonder.

An Ordinary Beginning to an Extraordinary Life

Robert Wadlow was born to Harold and Addie Wadlow in Alton, a small city in southwestern Illinois. He was a relatively normal 8.7 pounds at birth, totally healthy and typical for a newborn. That, however, would be the last time he would experience what most people would deem a ''normal'' physical development.

From early childhood, it was clear that Robert was growing abnormally. The boy was already bigger than the average baby when he was only 6 months old. As Robert continued to grow, his parents noticed he was growing quite a bit faster than other kids his age. By age 8, Robert had reached a height of 5 feet 4 inches, taller than most of the adults around him.

A Unique Medical Condition

Robert Wadlow's enormous height was due to a disorder called gigantism, which is the consequence of having too much growth hormone. Gigantism is caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland that makes the gland secrete way too much growth hormone. This, in turn, causes abnormal and excessive growth of bones and tissues throughout the body.

Robert had a tumor on his pituitary gland, which grew continuously throughout his life. In contrast to most children whose growth slows once they hit puberty, Robert kept growing. By the time he was a teen, he was already over 7 feet tall, and there was no hint that he was about to stop growing.

Robert's physical health was also been affected by this medical condition, along with his height. His organs and body were taxed beyond their tensile strength, and he contended with a host of challenges, everything from joint problems to circulatory issues to the consistent, corporeal burden of living in an exceptionally large body.

A Unique Path in Life

Robert was not one to shrink away from life despite the physical challenges of gigantism. He went to Alton High School, where he was soon recognized by his towering stature. When he graduated, Robert was 8 feet 4 inches tall.

His classmates were used to his size, though Robert broke away from his circle and was never being treated as a curiosity or freak. He became an ordinary student, joining all the activities together with his peers. He was an intelligent and outgoing boy and enjoyed friendships with people who would support him for the rest of his life.

Robert was always out there, and he worked hard. He came to learn how to leverage his unusual size as he got older. He hit the media iron, and his incredible height became an asset in many professional pursuits. Among the most prominent of those was his work as an advertising spokesman for a shoe company.

The Show Gig That Made Him Famous

Of the strongest suitable jobs for Robert Wadlow based on size was a spokesperson which he got working for a shoe company.

His shoes were 36AA an unheard of size that dwarfed even the largest shoes sold in stores. A shoe company approached Robert about becoming their spokesperson, figuring they could promote their products by highlighting Robert's unique proportions.

Originally, Robert used his height as a marketing tool in the company and traveled the country for numerous promotional events. He was a true professional with a pleasant and friendly disposition.

His enormous size, combined with his near-perfect temperament and adorable appearance, made him a magnet for crowds, and he became a beloved figure in his hometown as well as nationwide.

Robert was not able to go back to school, but he was able to work hard to build a life for himself and contribute to society in whatever ways he could.

The Last Measurements

At first, Robert's condition was more of an irritation than an affliction, but as he grew older, it became more and more of an encumbrance. He needed a cadre of doctors to check on his health,

to deal with the physical issues that came with being his size. But he kept his positive attitude and, regardless, dared to let his height define him.

Robert was measured for the last time in 1940, three weeks before he died. He was 8 feet 11 inches tall, short of 9 feet. He weighed an astonishing 491lbs due to his extreme size. His hand span, the distance from wrist to the tip of his middle finger, measured 13 inches an unbelievable dimension, well past the reach of most humans.

For all of Robert's towering stature, his life was tragically short. He died on July 15, 1940, of complications from an infection caused by a leg brace he had worn, at the age of 22.

The infection caused septic shock, which killed him. Robert Wadlow would pass away, leaving not only his family and a close knit group of friends grieving, but because Robert Wadlow represented something more than just a flesh and bone figure, he had become a legend, a fixture of hope to those with adversity and great loss.

The Legacy of Robert Wadlow

Robert Wadlow's life may have been short in years, but his legacy is inspiring many today. His story is more than his incredible size it's also about how he confronted the challenges of gigantism with grace and resolve.

Robert was determined not to let this hold him back or define who he was. Instead of feeling victimized or outcasted, he learned to channel his energy towards meaningful pursuits, pursuing a career in which he could potentially change the world, even in a culture that saw him as an outlier.

He’s immortalized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest man to have ever lived, but his legacy transcends that singular record.

The remarkable story of Robert Wadlow serves as an inspiration of the power of the human spirit to conquer adversity and live life to the fullest, despite whatever obstacles may reside in the path.

Today, there are many ways to honor Robert's memory. Robert Wadlow's hometown of Alton, Illinois, features a life-size statue of the extraordinary man who defied extreme odds.

The statue is a major tourist attraction, and the story of Robert continues to intrigue visitors who hear it.

Robert Wadlow may have been defined by his extraordinary height, but his courage, character, and determination defined who he was. Robert was born with a rare condition that caused him to grow larger than any human should. And yet, through all this, he was kind, modest, and focused on living a meaningful life.

Although Robert Wadlow stood almost nine feet tall, his real legacy is not (only) his measurements, but how he lived and how he affected others.

It teaches us that extraordinary lives are built on the decisions we make daily and the bravery to walk into the unknown.

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