The History of the Guinness Book of World Records

Sir Hugh Beaver

• Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of the Guinness Brewery, had the initial idea for a book of facts and records from around the world.

The Fastest European Game Bird

• The idea for the original book was inspired by a dispute between Sir Hugh Beaver and a guest at a shooting party at his estate in County Wexford, Ireland in 1951. The dispute centered on which was the fastest European game bird. No reference book could give a definitive answer.

McWhirter Twins

• Record-breaking British athlete Chris Chataway, a Guinness employee, recommended English twins Norris and Ross McWhirter to compile the book.

First Copy

• The original Guinness Book of World Records was published on August 27, 1955.

Worldwide Publishing

• Over one hundred million copies of the book have been published worldwide in 25 different languages.

Annual Sales

• Over 3 million copies of the book are sold every year throughout the world.