A debate at a County Wexford shooting party in the early 1950s, attended by Sir Hugh Beaver, prompted the idea to settle pub arguments with a facts book. Sir Hugh commissioned Fleet Street researchers and published the first volume on August 27, 1955. The Guinness books have authenticated thousands of records across sport, technology, the human body, collections and super skills, and have sold 155 million copies worldwide. To mark 70 years, GWR introduced 70 new records including fastest 400 metre sack race and furthest bottle flip. Record holders report positive effects, exemplified by Liz West expanding a Spice Girls collection from 2,066 items in 2011 to over 5,000 pieces.
The organisation's first volume was published on August 27 1955 and sparked worldwide curiosity about record-breaking achievements. The inspiration for the book came from a debate at a shooting party in the early 1950s in County Wexford, Ireland, which was attended by Sir Hugh Beaver, the then-managing director of the Guinness Brewery. He and his hosts debated the question of the fastest game bird in Europe but failed to find an answer in any reference book.
Now Guinness World Records (GWR) is celebrating 70 years as the authority on achievements and feats by introducing 70 new records that have never been set. Included in the list are fastest 400 metre sack race, furthest distance bottle flip, and most whoopee cushions sat on in one minute. Other records which can be set are the fastest time to blow a stamp 10 metres, most high fives in 30 seconds and the fastest time to ascend the height of Everest by bicycle.
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