The Tallest Ever

July 15, 1940 - The tallest man in recorded history died on this day. His name was Robert Wadlow and he stood 8 feet 11.1 inches tall.

Wadlow grew up, up and away in Alton, Illinois - and for much of his life he was known as the Alton Giant. Thanks to a 1936 tour with Ringling Brothers Circus, he was an international celebrity.

After a 4th of July event at the National Forest Festival of 1940, Wadlow developed a nasty blister on his ankle due to the braces that helped him stand up. An infection set in and within 10 days Wadlow was dead at age 22.

His incredible size was due to a dangerous condition known as hypertrophy of the pituitary gland. His body was creating abnormally high amounts of human growth hormone. At the time of his death he weighed a whopping 485 pounds.