After Edd’s comment on the blog yesterday about cup stacking records (have a look here and visit the link for an amazing display of cup stacking – never thought I’d be so impressed by that!), it got me thinking about world records.

There are the Colin Jacksons of this world who do very credible things such as being the fastest man in the world over 110m hurdles. And then there are the Matthew Henshaws of this world, responsible for the ‘heaviest weight dangled from a swallowed sword’ record (if you’re interested, 20.1 kg) (ouch).

Some of these talents must happen accidentally, such as the case of Radhakant Bajpai of India, who has hair sprouting from the centre of his outer ears that measures an incredible 13.2 cm (5.19 in) at its longest point. One day someone saw (or perhaps was brushed against by) his ear hair and said, ‘Radhakant, do you know I’ve seen anyone with ear hair as long as yours, I think you might be a world record holder!”. I do like his comment on the achievement: “Making it to Guinness World Records is indeed a special occasion for me and my family,” said Radhakant. “God has been very kind to me.” See his glorious ear hair here)

Some records must have a conscious effort involved, such as the heaviest weight lifted using only the ear, which is 51.7 kg (113 lb 15 oz) by Zafar Gill (Pakistan), who lifted gym weights hanging from a clamp attached to his right ear and held the weight for seven seconds on May 26, 2004 at Lahore, Pakistan. He can’t have just been trying out new earrings. And what happened after the seven seconds? Does he still have an ear?

Here are some other records that I like:

The longest journey on a lawnmower is 23,487.5 km (14,594.5 miles) in 260 consecutive days by America’s Gary Hatter.

The world’s oldest male stripper is Bernie Barker, a regular performer at Club LeBare, Miami Beach, USA, who began his career in 2000 at the age of 60 as a way to get in shape after recovering from prostate cancer. Since leaving his previous job of selling real estate, he has won over 30 contests. If you want to see what Bernie looks like, here’s the link (don’t worry, he has most of his clothes on)

The world’s largest container of body cream, measuring 2 m (6 ft 6.7 in) in diameter, 53 cm (1 ft 8.8 in) high and holding 1,124,490 ml (247.4 gallons) of NIVEA Creme, was created by Beiersdorf Hellas and unveiled in Athens, Greece on December 15, 2001.

There are also some obsessive hoarders out there. The largest collection of key chains belongs to Emilio Arenas Florin of Colonia, Uruguay, with 25,630 (!) non-duplicated key chains. David Morgan (UK) has a collection of 137 different traffic cones. David owns a cone from about two thirds of all types ever made! Do you think that started as a drunken student obsession, or maybe it was more of a childhood interest in road works?

What about recycling records? There must be some out there.

The largest sheet of hand made recycled paper was made in Manchester - after eight hours work the record was broken with a 72-square metre piece laid out in front of the town hall. The huge sheet was cut up and made into greetings cards for charity.

School pupils in Bridgend have the record for the world record for the longest line of drinks cans - more than 84,000. Fear not, the cans had a happy destination; Recycling Officer (yes that does need capitals) Gail Jones says: “The council was thrilled with the response from the school children and appreciate their efforts in breaking the world record, the thousands of cans will now be recycled.” Hurrah!

I couldn’t find many others, so I think there’s an opportunity for The Laundry here. What do you reckon? Most number of Laundry bags in a mini (or a G-wiz electric car?!)? There’s a record for the fastest 10km sack race (held by Ashrita Furman, incidentally the person who holds the most Guinness World Records, 32!), but I can’t find anything about the most number of people sack racing at once or anything like that – how about 1000 Laundry customers in Laundry sacks racing round Soho?! Or how about a bag chucking record – largest number of Laundry sacks chucked in a truck in one hour? We could pit Chris and Bob against each other, East vs. West in the battle of The Laundry sacks!

Does anyone hold a world record? Or have any good ideas for a Laundry world record? If so, let me know!

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