Gary Duschl has made the world’s longest chewing gum wrapper chain out of 1,370,166 gum wrappers
What do a 990lb colossal squid, the first map of the human genome, and sprinter Usain Bolt have in common? They have all been voted in as the top 10 Guinness World Records of the decade. (Pics)Since the launch of the latest records annual, thousands cast their vote for their favourite achievements of the noughties in entertainment, sports, technology, engineering and more.
‘With so many remarkable achievements over the past decade we decided to let the fans dictate the best of the best,’ said Craig Glenday,Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief.
‘After thousands of votes the Top Records of the Decade do not disappoint.’
Here are the top 10…
Stunts – Longest Chewing Gum-wrapper Chain
Since 11 March 1965, Gary Duschl of Virginia, USA, has been making a gum wrapper chain, which measures 17,760 m (58,266 ft) long and consists of 1,370,166 gum wrappers, 2,740,332 links and weighs 365.6 kg (806 lb), as of 11 March 2009.
Sports – Fastest 100metres
Fastest man alive
At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Usain Bolt achieved a landmark record when he ran the fastest 100m in 9.58 seconds on 20 August 2008.Human Body – Shortest Man
World’s smallest man
The shortest known mobile living adult is He Pingping (China, b. 1988) who was measured by a team of doctors in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China, and found to be 74.61 cm (2 ft 5.37″) on 22 March 2008.Science and Technology – First Map of the Human Genome
First full human genome ever decoded for an individual
The first publication of a human genome was by scientist and entrepreneur Dr Craig Venter (USA), who published his own genome (genetic code) in its entirety in September 2007. This complete record of his genetic make-up contained some 6 billion letters and was retrieved at an estimated cost of $35million (GBP 17.5million).Society – First African-American US President
First African-American President: Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th US president
Barack Hussein Obama II (USA) was inaugurated as the 44th President of the USA on 20 January 2009, following a record-breaking campaign.In the September before election, Obama raised a monthly record of $150 million (£82.5 million), taking his fundraising total to over $605 million (£332.9 million) – also a record.
Much of this went on advertising – an unprecedented $250 million (£137.5 million) was spent on TV ads in just five months. Over 136 million voters turned out on Election Day – the most since 1960 – and more than two million descended on the Capitol in Washington, DC for his inauguration.
Epic Achievements – Longest Time to Hold One’s Breath
Tom Sietas held his breath for 17mins and 33secs
Tom Sietas (Germany), a man with a mass of AIDA achievements to his name, held his breath underwater for 17 minutes and 33 seconds on the set of ‘Guinness World Records’ in Madrid, Spain, on 30 December 2008.Living Planet – Heaviest Colossal Squid
Fishermen caught the world’s largest Colossal squid
The heaviest squid ever caught was an adult male colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) weighing approximately 450 kg (990 lb) and measuring 10 m (33ft) long; it was caught by fishermen in the Ross Sea of Antarctica, and taken to New Zealand for research, where the catch was announced on 22 February 2007. Colossal squids are usually shorter than giant squid, but much heavier.Arts & Entertainment – Longest Running Sitcom
Simpson’s
In terms of episodes, the longest running sitcom in history is Matt Groening’s The Simpsons. The cartoon was first broadcast as short segments on the Tracey Ullman Show on April 19, 1987 but proved popular enough to warrant a half-hour show in its own right.The show debuted on 17 December 1989 and became an instant hit. To date the series has racked up 443 episodes and is in its 20th season.
Engineering – Tallest Structure
Ursa tension leg platform
The tallest structure on earth is the Ursa tension leg platform, a floating oil production facility operated by Shell in the Gulf of Mexico.The top of its drilling rig is 1,306 m (4,285ft) above the ocean floor.
The platform is connected to the seafloor by oil pipelines and four massive steel tethers at each corner, with a total weight of approximately 16,000 tones (35 million lb).
Record claimants – Ashrita Furman
Record record claimant
Since 1979, Ashrita Furman has set more than 200 records including Most Pogostick Jumps in One Minute (238), Fastest Mile Somersaulting (19 min. 11 sec), and Most Sit-Ups in an Hour (9,628).The 54-year old health food store manager from Queens, New York has broken records on every continent from standing on a Swiss Ball for the Longest Time at Stonehenge to Balancing a Pool Cue while Walking the Longest Distance at the Pyramids.
