Okay, yinzers, we all know that Pittsburghers can do some pretty amazing things. That’s just one of the traits that makes our hometown so special. But, did you know that Pittsburgh has nudged its way into the Guinness Book of World Records several times? Here are just a few crazy world records that made history in Pittsburgh.
- Most dogs walked at one time by one person
Flickr/Stephanie Schukraft October 1, 2011 was a red banner day in the Burgh, one that will live in infamy in the Guinness Book of World Records. On that day, Joseph Orsino took 35 – yes, you read right, 35! – dogs more than a half of a mile during the Lupus Loop Walk. Not only did he walk with 35 dogs of all different sizes, he did so on a rainy day in the Burgh.
- Individual with the highest insured hair
Flickr/Andy McLemore Care to guess which Pittsburgher won the title of the individual with the highest insured hair? If you said Steeler Troy Polamalu, give yourself a pat on the back. Polamalu holds the world record for the $1 million insurance policy on his locks.
- World’s largest pierogi
Flickr/Daniel We sure do love our pierogis in the Burgh. So, it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that Pittsburgh easily snagged the world record for the largest pierogi. The momentous occasion took place on October 8, 2014 at Rivers Casino with the record-breaking pierogi weighing in at 123 pounds.
- World’s largest robot dance
Flickr/Thomas Hawk Yep. You read right. The world’s largest robot dance – with 2,524 dancers – took place on June 1, 2013. The world record, set by the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, occurred at the University of Pittsburgh.
- The oldest individual to undergo a tonsillectomy
Flickr/Allen Anyone who’s had their tonsils out can attest that it isn’t fun but, hey, having Jello and ice cream as a diet makes it a little easier. Doctors at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, on July 9, 2002, performed a tonsillectomy on John Mazzafer. On that day, John was 84 years and 277 days old.
- World’s largest image of a human created by glow sticks
Flickr/Lucky Lynda Glow sticks are pretty cool. World record breaking cool, in fact. The University of Pittsburgh Class of 2015 decided to start their college journey by setting a world record. Together, the 2,792 students held glow sticks, for four minutes, in the shape of the Cathedral of Learning on August 25, 2011.
- Most people doing backflips on a pogo stick at the same time
Flickr/Ric McArthur Whodda thunk it? Doing backflips is tough enough but on a pogo stick? That’s certainly impressive. Even more impressive are the 15 individuals who came together at Pogopalooza on July 2, 2014 to set the world record.
- Most jumps in a row on a pogo stick, without using feet, by an individual
Flickr/Travis Wise Pogopalooza was pretty impressive in 2014. That year, Fred Grzybowski also broke a world record. He jumped on a pogo stick, without using his feet, 117 times in a row. How amazing is that?
- World’s largest baseball
Flickr/Mark Virtual hands up if you were at the All-Star Fan Fest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in 2006? If you were, you just might have seen the biggest baseball in the world. Just how big is the world’s largest baseball? A whopping 12 feet.
- The biggest animal image formed by humans
Flickr/Cam Miller The University of Pittsburgh strikes again! On August 21, 2013, 3,614 members of the Class of 2017 gathered together to form a human image of – can you guess? Why, a panther, of course. The Class of ’17 held the panther image for six minutes.
Have you been part of setting any world records in Pittsburgh? Share your experiences in the comments! Like historic spots? Then, you definitely have to visit this historic Pittsburgh movie theater.
Flickr/Stephanie Schukraft
October 1, 2011 was a red banner day in the Burgh, one that will live in infamy in the Guinness Book of World Records. On that day, Joseph Orsino took 35 – yes, you read right, 35! – dogs more than a half of a mile during the Lupus Loop Walk. Not only did he walk with 35 dogs of all different sizes, he did so on a rainy day in the Burgh.
Flickr/Andy McLemore
Care to guess which Pittsburgher won the title of the individual with the highest insured hair? If you said Steeler Troy Polamalu, give yourself a pat on the back. Polamalu holds the world record for the $1 million insurance policy on his locks.
Flickr/Daniel
We sure do love our pierogis in the Burgh. So, it shouldn’t really come as a surprise that Pittsburgh easily snagged the world record for the largest pierogi. The momentous occasion took place on October 8, 2014 at Rivers Casino with the record-breaking pierogi weighing in at 123 pounds.
Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Yep. You read right. The world’s largest robot dance – with 2,524 dancers – took place on June 1, 2013. The world record, set by the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, occurred at the University of Pittsburgh.
Flickr/Allen
Anyone who’s had their tonsils out can attest that it isn’t fun but, hey, having Jello and ice cream as a diet makes it a little easier. Doctors at Jefferson Regional Medical Center, on July 9, 2002, performed a tonsillectomy on John Mazzafer. On that day, John was 84 years and 277 days old.
Flickr/Lucky Lynda
Glow sticks are pretty cool. World record breaking cool, in fact. The University of Pittsburgh Class of 2015 decided to start their college journey by setting a world record. Together, the 2,792 students held glow sticks, for four minutes, in the shape of the Cathedral of Learning on August 25, 2011.
Flickr/Ric McArthur
Whodda thunk it? Doing backflips is tough enough but on a pogo stick? That’s certainly impressive. Even more impressive are the 15 individuals who came together at Pogopalooza on July 2, 2014 to set the world record.
Flickr/Travis Wise
Pogopalooza was pretty impressive in 2014. That year, Fred Grzybowski also broke a world record. He jumped on a pogo stick, without using his feet, 117 times in a row. How amazing is that?
Flickr/Mark
Virtual hands up if you were at the All-Star Fan Fest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in 2006? If you were, you just might have seen the biggest baseball in the world. Just how big is the world’s largest baseball? A whopping 12 feet.
Flickr/Cam Miller
The University of Pittsburgh strikes again! On August 21, 2013, 3,614 members of the Class of 2017 gathered together to form a human image of – can you guess? Why, a panther, of course. The Class of ’17 held the panther image for six minutes.
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