Robert Wadlow Image Getty Colourised by PMH

On this day 101 years ago, the tallest man (ever) was born.📏😲

The towering American, named Robert Wadlow, measured a a mind-boggling 2.72 m (8 ft 11.1 in) tall when he was last measured on 27 June 1940.

Robert Wadlow: ©Getty. Colourised by PMH

Robert also had the largest feet ever, measuring a massive 47 cm (18.5 in) long feet - that's almost four coke cans laid end to end!

He also had the largest hands ever, measuring 32.3 cm (12.7 in) from the wrist to the tip of his middle finger. 

His record-breaking height started when he was a child, and when he was eight years old he was taller than his 5 ft 11 in tall father.

He was even able to pick his father up and carry him up the stairs of their house!

Keep on scrolling! 👇

 Illustration of GWR Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday and tallest man ever Robert Wadlow

He became a Boy Scout at the age of 13, and had a uniform, tent and sleeping bag made to fit him.

Robert Wadlow’s first official record title was the tallest teenager ever (male), measuring a huge 2.45 m (8 ft 0.5 in) at the age of 17.

He was later confirmed as the tallest man ever on 27 June 1940.

He remains the tallest person in the world, ever.

Tallest person living

The tallest person at the moment is Sultan Kösen, from Turkey.  

Sultan also has the world's largest hands, at 28.5 cm (11.2 in) from wrist to fingertip. 

Tallest living man